Tea & Read: Flight of Shadows

Title: Flight of Shadows
Author: Sigmund Brouwer
Rating: Glad I got it free (1 star)

I read my first Sigmond Brouwer book, Crown of Thorns a couple of years ago (I read it during my Summer Reading Challenge  2009). Crown of Thorns was interesting enough. Brouwer’s writing style was what drew me in. The book wasn’t particularly “Christian.” Although it dealt with Christian themes, its biggest selling point for me was that it was clean (no sex or profanity).

 

So when I got the opportunity to read another one of Brouwer’s books, I was quite excited. Unfortunately, the book did not live up to my excitement. First I want to confess that I didn’t finish the book. There was profanity in the book and that is an instant turn off for me, especially when a book is published by a Christian publishing line.

The novel caught my attention. It is the story Caitlyn Brown, a genetically altered girl living in a futuristic America. Again, the story hooked me. From the small amount that I did read, Brouwer nailed the gritty feel of crime-ridden city. And although it’s set in an alternate reality, it wasn’t hard to transition into the classism portrayed in the opening pages. I wanted to know what happened to Caitlyn, but not enough to read profanity.

Now I am not so high and mighty my world is without profanity. I hear in public and occasionally on TV. But I make a point that my pleasure reading, things I choose to read for entertainment, is profanity-free. Furthermore, I don’t understand why Christian fiction needs profanity. The argument is always that it makes the story more real. I don’t think so. It’s a deal-breaker for me.

I think someone who doesn’t mind reading profanity and enjoys stories set in futuristic settings may enjoy this book, but it wasn’t for me.

 BookSneeze® has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy.