Audie Thacker likes to think of himself as a writer, and so far his word processor hasn't been able to convince him otherwise, though one can't fault its efforts. He is the author of the fantasy novels Shifters: Manipulations and Shifters: Judgments.

‘Gunslinger Girl’ Shows the Inevitable Tragedy When Man Tries to Play God

Manga artist Yu Aida fills “Gunslinger Girl” with well-developed characters as well as intriguing moral and ethical difficulties.
Audie Thacker on January 2021

I Respect C. S. Lewis, But Disagree with Parts of The Last Battle
| Audie Thacker, Articles, Oct 2, 2020

‘Haibane Renmei’ Almost Persuades Me That Its Ideas Are Christian

You should give this older anime series a chance, even if it has fallen into obscurity and if its ideas can’t quite take biblical flight.
Audie Thacker on August 2020

The World of ‘Kino’s Journey’ Is Beautiful, Yet Avoids Resolutions By Design

Kino’s Journey (2003) is a very atypical anime series, often offering viewers curiosity over resolution during its heroine’s travels.
Audie Thacker on June 2020

‘Yona of the Dawn’ Forsakes Cozy Palace Life to Challenge Its Royal Heroine

Yona of the Dawn’s anime (and manga) pivots from an early teen-romance setup to an adventure quest with surprising turns.
Audie Thacker on February 2020

‘Joshua’ Offers Readers a Strange, Unbiblical Alt-Version of Jesus

Speculative stories often explore an alt-world version of Christ, but the Rev. Joseph F. Girzone took this too far in Joshua: A Parable for Today.
Audie Thacker on September 2019

‘The Promised Neverland’: Finding Freedom In A Demon-Haunted World

Life looks good for the children of Grace Field House, but then two children see behind the curtains.
Audie Thacker on June 2019

‘Maquia’ Shows A Different Side of Epic Fantasy

Many epic fantasies focus on adventurers, but Maquia explores the wonder of motherhood.
Audie Thacker on March 2019

‘The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas’: A City Without Guilt

Ursula K. Le Guin’s imagined utopia has one terrible condition, and two responses that both ignore this evil.
Audie Thacker on January 2019

My Hero Academia: True Heroics in a Quirky World

My Hero Academia doesn’t just pit heroes versus villains, but seriously explores the nature of true heroism.
Audie Thacker on November 2018

Violet Evergarden: Letters of the Woeful Wages of Sin

If you love stories that genuinely make you weep, Violet Evergarden is the series for you.
Audie Thacker on May 2018

‘Meant to Be’ Explores Half a Good Message

Reviewer Audie Thacker praises the concept of PureFlix’s “Meant To Be,” but believes the film’s themes fall apart.
Audie Thacker on April 2018

Re:Zero’s Second Chances Only Make Life Worse

In Re:Zero, modern teen Natsuke Subaru is thrown into a world of second chances to save lives, yet he’s pushed to his limits.
Audie Thacker on January 2018

‘Hogfather’: In the End, a Discworld Story about Nothing

Terry Pratchett’s standalone Christmas spoof “Hogfather” rings with absurdity, even in its attempted serious ideas.
Audie Thacker on November 2017

‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ Brews A Great Story With Iffy Ideas

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’s characters struggle with guilt, regret, and lost humanity.
Audie Thacker on July 2017

‘By Eyes Unseen’ Series Serves Enjoyable Christian Allegory

I don’t usually enjoy Christian allegorical fiction. But when I do, it’s thanks to novels like F. E. Greene’s “By Eyes Unseen” series.
Audie Thacker on May 2017

Orange Anime Offers Partial Reasons Against Suicide
| Audie Thacker, Articles, May 11, 2017

‘Library War’ Pits Thought Police Vs. Militant Libraries

In Library War, a woman fights the warriors of censorship while also hunting for her mysterious prince among library fighters.
Audie Thacker on December 2016

Shadow Legacy: A Solid Follow-up To Synthetic Genesis

“Shadow Legacy,” Age of Quintessence book 2, shows author Vista Townsend improving her storytelling.
Audie Thacker on November 2016

Psycho-Pass Surveys An Ideal But Controlled Society

Psycho-Pass season 1 explores the question: can mankind create the perfect society, or will any such attempt have flaws?
Audie Thacker on November 2016

Beast Player Erin Ranks Among The Best Anime Stories

“Beast Player Erin” is one of the best anime series I’ve ever seen.
Audie Thacker on August 2016

Exploring Disney’s Sci-Fi Gem ‘The Black Hole’

In the late 1970s, Disney joined the movie space race with “The Black Hole,” which despite its flaws is pretty good.
Audie Thacker on July 2016

Foundation: Salvation In Lies and Manipulation?

If mankind’s only hope is a group of elites who lead us to the promised land, then please let me off the train.
Audie Thacker on June 2016

Age Of Quintessence, Book 1: Synthetic Genesis—Frankenstein’s Monsters In Space

Vista Townsend splices a story about genetically engineered beings. Are they monsters? What do they really want?
Audie Thacker on June 2016

Erased: An Intriguing Time-Travel Murder Mystery

A manga artist travels back in time without a Delorean or a police box, exploring the concept of second chances.
Audie Thacker on June 2016

Miracle At The Higher Grounds Cafe Is A Spec-Lite Fluffy Cupcake

Max Lucado’s promising premise gets sidetracked by a strange need for too much niceness and a perfect ending.
Audie Thacker on January 2016

Planet Hulk: The Deliverer Has Come To Smash

Hulk smash “Lost In Space,” “Gladiator,” and “Braveheart” into big story with messianic themes starring Hulk.
Audie Thacker on January 2016

‘Injustice: Gods Among Us’ Explores A Clash Of Heroes

The DC graphic novel series pits Batman versus Superman and shows the limits of two extreme responses to evil.
Audie Thacker on December 2015

‘Snow White With The Red Hair,’ Season 1: A Beautifully Animated Romance

The first season of “Snow White with the Red Hair” is a rare, clean romance story that well presents honor, respect, and dignity.
Audie Thacker on September 2015

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Akiniwazisaga: A Light Rises in a Dark World Reviews | Lorehaven Review Team on Apr 16, 2021

58. How Did We Enjoy the Heroic Majesty of ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’? Podcast | Fantastical Truth on Apr 13, 2021

How Reading Epic Fantasy Helps Me Be Brave Articles | Josiah DeGraaf on Apr 9, 2021

All the Queen’s Sons Reviews | Lorehaven Review Team on Apr 9, 2021

Implicit Magic in Fantasy Fiction Can Stir Our Longing for Transcendent Myth Articles | Elijah David on Apr 7, 2021

57. How Do Stories Help Us Imagine Suffering and the Hope of Resurrection? | Epic Resurrection, part 4 Podcast | Fantastical Truth on Apr 6, 2021

The PRISM Conspiracy Reviews | Lorehaven Review Team on Apr 2, 2021

To Help Kids Learn Pop Culture Engagement, Parents Must Work Together Articles | Jason Joyner on Mar 31, 2021

56. Which Biblical Qualities Empower Strong Female Characters? | with Elisabeth Wheatley Podcast | Fantastical Truth on Mar 30, 2021

Why We Long for Movies to Match Their Books Articles | L.G. McCary on Mar 25, 2021

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Akiniwazisaga: A Light Rises in a Dark World “M. D. Boncher’s fantasy novel Akiniwazisaga: A Light Rises in a Dark World is a fascinating blend of history, religion, and sinister folklore.” —Lorehaven on Apr 16, 2021

All the Queen’s Sons “All The Queen’s Sons from Elizabeth Kipps will delight both young and old fans of level-headed girls, charming princes, and lovely lands.” —Lorehaven on Apr 9, 2021

The PRISM Conspiracy “Mary Schlegel’s gentle sci-fi The PRISM Conspiracy offers an attractive blend of possibility and sweet romance.” —Lorehaven on Apr 2, 2021

Songflight “Songflight by Michelle M. Bruhn tells the gripping story of dragon singer Alísa, and is best for lovers of fantasy and dragons.” —Lorehaven on Mar 19, 2021

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58. How Did We Enjoy the Heroic Majesty of ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’? Fantastical Truth, Apr 13, 2021

57. How Do Stories Help Us Imagine Suffering and the Hope of Resurrection? | Epic Resurrection, part 4 Fantastical Truth, Apr 6, 2021

56. Which Biblical Qualities Empower Strong Female Characters? | with Elisabeth Wheatley Fantastical Truth, Mar 30, 2021

55. Should Christians Embrace Cultural and Digital Enclaves? | with Austin Gunderson Fantastical Truth, Mar 16, 2021

Browse back issues (2018–2020)

The original SpecFaith: est. 2006

The Symbolic Nature of Sci-fi Apocalyptic Disaster Films Parker J. Cole, Apr 14

Introduction: Hunger by Jill Williamson Rebecca LuElla Miller, Apr 12

The Beauty of Short Horror Films Parker J. Cole, Mar 31

Banning Books Rebecca LuElla Miller, Mar 22

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Get exclusive shirts and beyondin the Lorehaven store

Explore the book The Pop Culture Parent: Helping Kids Engage Their World for Christ

Does ‘Engaging Popular Culture’ Include Right-Wing Talk Radio? E. Stephen Burnett, Oct 9

Join My Livestream This Thursday: Seven Ways to Find Truth in Fantastic Stories E. Stephen Burnett, Oct 6

‘Gunslinger Girl’ Shows the Inevitable Tragedy When Man Tries to Play God Manga artist Yu Aida fills “Gunslinger Girl” with well-developed characters as well as intriguing moral and ethical difficulties. Audie Thacker on January 2021

I Respect C. S. Lewis, But Disagree with Parts of The Last Battle | Audie Thacker, Articles, Oct 2, 2020

‘Haibane Renmei’ Almost Persuades Me That Its Ideas Are Christian You should give this older anime series a chance, even if it has fallen into obscurity and if its ideas can’t quite take biblical flight. Audie Thacker on August 2020

The World of ‘Kino’s Journey’ Is Beautiful, Yet Avoids Resolutions By Design Kino’s Journey (2003) is a very atypical anime series, often offering viewers curiosity over resolution during its heroine’s travels. Audie Thacker on June 2020

‘Yona of the Dawn’ Forsakes Cozy Palace Life to Challenge Its Royal Heroine Yona of the Dawn’s anime (and manga) pivots from an early teen-romance setup to an adventure quest with surprising turns. Audie Thacker on February 2020

‘Joshua’ Offers Readers a Strange, Unbiblical Alt-Version of Jesus Speculative stories often explore an alt-world version of Christ, but the Rev. Joseph F. Girzone took this too far in Joshua: A Parable for Today. Audie Thacker on September 2019

‘The Promised Neverland’: Finding Freedom In A Demon-Haunted World Life looks good for the children of Grace Field House, but then two children see behind the curtains. Audie Thacker on June 2019

‘Maquia’ Shows A Different Side of Epic Fantasy Many epic fantasies focus on adventurers, but Maquia explores the wonder of motherhood. Audie Thacker on March 2019

‘The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas’: A City Without Guilt Ursula K. Le Guin’s imagined utopia has one terrible condition, and two responses that both ignore this evil. Audie Thacker on January 2019

My Hero Academia: True Heroics in a Quirky World My Hero Academia doesn’t just pit heroes versus villains, but seriously explores the nature of true heroism. Audie Thacker on November 2018

Violet Evergarden: Letters of the Woeful Wages of Sin If you love stories that genuinely make you weep, Violet Evergarden is the series for you. Audie Thacker on May 2018

‘Meant to Be’ Explores Half a Good Message Reviewer Audie Thacker praises the concept of PureFlix’s “Meant To Be,” but believes the film’s themes fall apart. Audie Thacker on April 2018

Re:Zero’s Second Chances Only Make Life Worse In Re:Zero, modern teen Natsuke Subaru is thrown into a world of second chances to save lives, yet he’s pushed to his limits. Audie Thacker on January 2018

‘Hogfather’: In the End, a Discworld Story about Nothing Terry Pratchett’s standalone Christmas spoof “Hogfather” rings with absurdity, even in its attempted serious ideas. Audie Thacker on November 2017

‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ Brews A Great Story With Iffy Ideas Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’s characters struggle with guilt, regret, and lost humanity. Audie Thacker on July 2017

‘By Eyes Unseen’ Series Serves Enjoyable Christian Allegory I don’t usually enjoy Christian allegorical fiction. But when I do, it’s thanks to novels like F. E. Greene’s “By Eyes Unseen” series. Audie Thacker on May 2017

Orange Anime Offers Partial Reasons Against Suicide | Audie Thacker, Articles, May 11, 2017

‘Library War’ Pits Thought Police Vs. Militant Libraries In Library War, a woman fights the warriors of censorship while also hunting for her mysterious prince among library fighters. Audie Thacker on December 2016

Shadow Legacy: A Solid Follow-up To Synthetic Genesis “Shadow Legacy,” Age of Quintessence book 2, shows author Vista Townsend improving her storytelling. Audie Thacker on November 2016

Psycho-Pass Surveys An Ideal But Controlled Society Psycho-Pass season 1 explores the question: can mankind create the perfect society, or will any such attempt have flaws? Audie Thacker on November 2016

Beast Player Erin Ranks Among The Best Anime Stories “Beast Player Erin” is one of the best anime series I’ve ever seen. Audie Thacker on August 2016

Exploring Disney’s Sci-Fi Gem ‘The Black Hole’ In the late 1970s, Disney joined the movie space race with “The Black Hole,” which despite its flaws is pretty good. Audie Thacker on July 2016

Foundation: Salvation In Lies and Manipulation? If mankind’s only hope is a group of elites who lead us to the promised land, then please let me off the train. Audie Thacker on June 2016

Age Of Quintessence, Book 1: Synthetic Genesis—Frankenstein’s Monsters In Space Vista Townsend splices a story about genetically engineered beings. Are they monsters? What do they really want? Audie Thacker on June 2016

Erased: An Intriguing Time-Travel Murder Mystery A manga artist travels back in time without a Delorean or a police box, exploring the concept of second chances. Audie Thacker on June 2016

Miracle At The Higher Grounds Cafe Is A Spec-Lite Fluffy Cupcake Max Lucado’s promising premise gets sidetracked by a strange need for too much niceness and a perfect ending. Audie Thacker on January 2016

Planet Hulk: The Deliverer Has Come To Smash Hulk smash “Lost In Space,” “Gladiator,” and “Braveheart” into big story with messianic themes starring Hulk. Audie Thacker on January 2016

‘Injustice: Gods Among Us’ Explores A Clash Of Heroes The DC graphic novel series pits Batman versus Superman and shows the limits of two extreme responses to evil. Audie Thacker on December 2015

‘Snow White With The Red Hair,’ Season 1: A Beautifully Animated Romance The first season of “Snow White with the Red Hair” is a rare, clean romance story that well presents honor, respect, and dignity. Audie Thacker on September 2015

Akiniwazisaga: A Light Rises in a Dark World

Reviews | Lorehaven Review Team on Apr 16, 2021

58. How Did We Enjoy the Heroic Majesty of ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’?

Podcast | Fantastical Truth on Apr 13, 2021

How Reading Epic Fantasy Helps Me Be Brave

Articles | Josiah DeGraaf on Apr 9, 2021

All the Queen’s Sons

Reviews | Lorehaven Review Team on Apr 9, 2021

Implicit Magic in Fantasy Fiction Can Stir Our Longing for Transcendent Myth

Articles | Elijah David on Apr 7, 2021

57. How Do Stories Help Us Imagine Suffering and the Hope of Resurrection? | Epic Resurrection, part 4

Podcast | Fantastical Truth on Apr 6, 2021

The PRISM Conspiracy

Reviews | Lorehaven Review Team on Apr 2, 2021

To Help Kids Learn Pop Culture Engagement, Parents Must Work Together

Articles | Jason Joyner on Mar 31, 2021

56. Which Biblical Qualities Empower Strong Female Characters? | with Elisabeth Wheatley

Podcast | Fantastical Truth on Mar 30, 2021

Why We Long for Movies to Match Their Books

Articles | L.G. McCary on Mar 25, 2021

Akiniwazisaga: A Light Rises in a Dark World

“M. D. Boncher’s fantasy novel Akiniwazisaga: A Light Rises in a Dark World is a fascinating blend of history, religion, and sinister folklore.”
—Lorehaven on Apr 16, 2021

All the Queen’s Sons

“All The Queen’s Sons from Elizabeth Kipps will delight both young and old fans of level-headed girls, charming princes, and lovely lands.”
—Lorehaven on Apr 9, 2021

The PRISM Conspiracy

“Mary Schlegel’s gentle sci-fi The PRISM Conspiracy offers an attractive blend of possibility and sweet romance.”
—Lorehaven on Apr 2, 2021

Songflight

“Songflight by Michelle M. Bruhn tells the gripping story of dragon singer Alísa, and is best for lovers of fantasy and dragons.”
—Lorehaven on Mar 19, 2021

58. How Did We Enjoy the Heroic Majesty of ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’?
Fantastical Truth, Apr 13, 2021

57. How Do Stories Help Us Imagine Suffering and the Hope of Resurrection? | Epic Resurrection, part 4
Fantastical Truth, Apr 6, 2021

56. Which Biblical Qualities Empower Strong Female Characters? | with Elisabeth Wheatley
Fantastical Truth, Mar 30, 2021

55. Should Christians Embrace Cultural and Digital Enclaves? | with Austin Gunderson
Fantastical Truth, Mar 16, 2021

The Symbolic Nature of Sci-fi Apocalyptic Disaster Films
Parker J. Cole, Apr 14

Introduction: Hunger by Jill Williamson
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Apr 12

The Beauty of Short Horror Films
Parker J. Cole, Mar 31

Banning Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller, Mar 22

Get exclusive shirts and beyond
in the Lorehaven store

Does ‘Engaging Popular Culture’ Include Right-Wing Talk Radio?
E. Stephen Burnett, Oct 9

Join My Livestream This Thursday: Seven Ways to Find Truth in Fantastic Stories
E. Stephen Burnett, Oct 6