Books for Christian Girls: "The White Knight, the Lost Kingdom, and the Sea Princess" by Judy Carlson

About this book:

“Prince Lael must prove his strength and loyalty when challenged by an insidious enemy. The tragic loss of loved ones will only fortify his resolve to fight for the freedom of the lost kingdom. Clara and Ian, two kids from Minnesota, will join the adventure to free a captive Sea Princess, battle evil, and overcome lurking temptations. They will meet the legendary White Knight and along the way gain wisdom, love, and friendships. It is a story of intrigue and ever present danger in a world populated by creatures and mortals, whose destiny hangs by the threads of an Emperor’s vision, a prince’s lost love, mysterious foes, enchanting forest maidens, unlikely heroes, and a mermaid-heroine. All of this is wrapped up in a champion so invincible, yet mysterious, that he challenges the Dark Sorcerer with supernatural forces of a fascinating nature, using even the humblest of defenders. This profound love story will leave you with a taste for a country and a universe beyond your dreams and even imaginings: a world that is a fairy tale come true, and one you will never want to end.”

Series: As of now, no.

Spiritual Content- Very much the Good vs Evil, Light vs Dark story-line; Supernatural figures in this story representing God, Christ & angels/prophets; Prayers & a blessing over food; Many Scriptures are mentioned, read & read (not always referenced as Scriptures though); Talking to [the Christ figure]; Many talks about [God], His will & trusting; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to [God]; Many mentions of [God]; Many mentions of [Heaven]; Mentions of prayers; Mentions of devotion to [God]; Mentions of Christians & faiths; Mentions of those & events in the Bible; Mentions of (hints) Bible reading (called Stories of the White Knight and Other Adventures or the Divine Book); Mentions of the amour of God; Mentions of figures like guardian angels & escorting people to [Heaven]; A few mentions of Psalms; A few mentions of blessings; A few mentions of Christmas; A mention of God’s creation;

*Note: Fighting evil; Many, many mentions of evil & sorcery; Mentions of demons & demonic beasts; Mentions of spells & curses; Mentions of gods, idols & people worshiping them; Mentions of witches, witchcraft, fortune tellers, talking to the dead & horoscopes (all portrayed as evil); A few mentions of an Ouija board; A few mentions of Hell; A couple mentions of an occult & child sacrifice; A mention of a devilish saga; A mention of a damnable lot of men; A mention of a goddess of the sea; A mention of a goddess of light.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘heck’, an ‘oh my word’, a ‘shush up’, a ‘shut up’, two ‘blasted’s, two ‘idiot’s, two forms of ‘stupid’, twelve forms of ‘dumb’; Mentions of curses (said, not written); Some sarcasm & eye rolling; Some bad attitudes, anger & blaming others; Recalling battles & fighting (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of murders, killings, assassinations, deaths & blood (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of wars, battles, violence, fighting & deaths (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of animals/creatures fighting & blood (semi-detailed); Mentions of injuries, bleeding & pain (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a plan to kill infants for dastardly reasons (doesn’t happen, no details); Mentions of mean paying others to drown unwanted babies (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of drowning & almost drowning; Mentions of hunting & mean people killing animals not for the need (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of poisons & being drugged; Mentions of drinking, wine, beer & ale; Mentions of tobacco, pipes & smoking; Mentions of lying & lies; Mentions of teasing someone; A few mentions of spankings; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of a gang; A mention of bullies;

*Note: Mentions of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien & George MacDonald; A couple mentions of aliens; A mention of Santa Claus.

Sexual Content- three hand (greeting) kisses, two cheek kisses, & four barley-above-not-detailed kisses; Remembering kisses (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Warmth, Embraces & liking it (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing; Flirting & Flattery; Ian is kinda of almost seduced (but not so much in a sexual way, she’s evil & trying to get his special belt); Lael becomes enchanted by a mermaid; Mentions of spells & songs that cause desire & longing; Mentions of seducing, a woman using her wiles, a temptress & nearly being seduced; Mentions of nearness; Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of married couples kisses, welcoming hand kisses & blushes (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of love, being in love & those smitten; Mentions of noticing; Mentions of flirting & flattery; Mentions of pretty & cute girls; A few mentions of awakening love & the tender caresses of a wife; A few mentions of noticing; A couple mentions of chaperones; A mention of youthful passion; A mention of an affair with an immoral woman; Hints of love interests & such in the beginning half, last half talks about it more; Some love, being in love/smitten & the emotions;

*Note: A mention of “a pat on [men’s] arses”.

-Princess Estarianna -Prince Lael

-Clara, age 12 -Ian, age 14
P.O.V. switches between them & others

{Fantasy}
435 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

{Add ½ a star for those who love Fantasy/Narnia}

I won't lie when I say that this novel with the long title and even longer page count intimidated me. Fantasy isn't my favorite genre on a normal basis, but opening this novel with a four paged list of characters (which can in handy many times while reading) made me stall a bit reading this book. That said, I was interested to see how this fantasy would be, as the good ones aren't like any other, and overall did enjoy it. I’m not a huge fan of Narnia style series, but I can fans of that series possibly enjoying this novel.

I still can't place an age on who this book would be good for, though. At first I was thinking new teens, but the size of the book can be a bit daunting. There was the whole bad/black/ evil magic that sometimes the villain felt like a scoffing Disney villain. There was also mentions of & reading a woman trying to seduce a main character (which doesn't work, gratefully). There were romances between smitten couples that was very sweet, but quite a bit of feelings closer to the end.
I do feel like this novel was obviously a Christian Fantasy, not decoded like some. I can see, though, some parents not liking all the evil mentions and such magic; it is very much the Good vs Evil, Light vs Dark story-line that some may or may not enjoy. I'm somewhere in the middle. ;)

See y’all on Wednesday with a new review!