Lorehaven helps fans of all ages explore fantastical stories for God’s glory. Find the newest fiction for young readers plus teens+YA and adults. Get articles and podcasts that engage the best Christian-made fantasy, sci-fi, and beyond. Subscribe free to join the Lorehaven Guild for monthly book quests!
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The Little Mermaid’s Live-Action Remake Fares Better Than Critics Forecast

Some new songs may flounder, but Ariel’s voice and Triton’s character redeem the 2023 Disney film. · Marian Jacobs

Fantastical books for middle grade readers!

Best for older children ages 8–12
Hamelin Stoop: The Eagle, the Cave, and the Footbridge, Robert B. Sloan.
The Oasis King, Mark David Pullen
Bear Knight, James R. Hannibal
boys’ fiction · girls’ fiction · all fiction
Lorehaven Guild · Book Quests · subscribe

Top resources

  • Try These Three Practical Questions to Discern Fictional Magic
  • How Do We Discern Good and Bad ‘Magic’?
  • Three Fantastical Christian Stories to Help Your Kids Head Back to School
  • The Death and Rebirth of Magic in Children's Fantasy

The Little Mermaid’s Live-Action Remake Fares Better Than Critics Forecast

Some new songs may flounder, but Ariel’s voice and Triton’s character redeem the 2023 Disney film. · Marian Jacobs

New books for teens + young adults

Best for readers ages 13–18—and beyond!
Hamelin Stoop: The Eagle, the Cave, and the Footbridge, Robert B. Sloan.
Radiant, Ashley Bustamante
Hunt for Eden's Star, D. J. Williams
young men’s · young women’s · all fiction
Lorehaven Guild · Book Quests · subscribe

Top resources

  • Beware the Real Danger of Entertainment
  • Christian-Made Fantasy Can Shine Light in the Grimdark
  • How to Disciple Your Kids with Dangeous Books
  • How Reading Epic Fantasy Helps Me Be Brave
  • Engaging Fictional Violence in Our Real Worlds
  • Engaging That @&*% Our Stories Often Say

The Little Mermaid’s Live-Action Remake Fares Better Than Critics Forecast

Some new songs may flounder, but Ariel’s voice and Triton’s character redeem the 2023 Disney film. · Marian Jacobs

New fiction for adults

Challenging novels for wise readers 18 and up.
The Soul Mark, Jasmine Fisher
The Kingdom of Heaven, Evelyn M. Lewis
War of Torment, Ronie Kendig
men’s fiction · women’s fiction · all fiction
articles · podcast · reviews · subscribe

Top resources

  • Even If We Like Fantasy and Sci-Fi, We Can Still Practice Accidental Legalism
  • How God Uses Story Villains for Our Good
  • Sensual Scenes in Fiction Pose Unique Temptations for Women
  • Stories With Bad Ideas Can Still Help Us Grow
  • Engaging Fictional Violence in Our Real Worlds
  • Engaging That @&*% Our Stories Often Say

Film, streaming, TV, video games

Help your kids engage their world for Christ!
Explore The Pop Culture Parent

Top resources

  • Let’s Not Excuse Movie and TV Porn For the Sake of ‘Redemptive’ Stories
  • Christians Can’t Consistently Blame Leftist Fiction While Pushing Our Own Propaganda

The Little Mermaid’s Live-Action Remake Fares Better Than Critics Forecast

Some new songs may flounder, but Ariel’s voice and Triton’s character redeem the 2023 Disney film. · Marian Jacobs

‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Hints at Redemption from Postmodern Pain

Marvel’s new space adventure is here to remind us of what the MCU used to be, with clear conflict and competent villains and no political preaching. · A. D. Sheehan
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Lorehaven helps fans of all ages explore fantastical stories for God’s glory. Find the newest fiction for young readers plus teens+YA and adults. Get articles and podcasts that engage the best Christian-made fantasy, sci-fi, and beyond. Subscribe free to join the Lorehaven Guild for monthly book quests!
Crew manifest Faith statement FAQs
All author resources Lorehaven Guild Subscribe for free

Share your novel with new fans!

Lorehaven is reaching Christian fans, homeschool families, church influencers, and cultural conservatives.

Thirty Questions for Critics of ‘The Chosen’ or Other Christian Creators Who Hire Heathens

Yes, we must judge any creative work with righteous judgment, but don’t strain at gnats while swallowing camels. · E. Stephen Burnett

Shazam Sequel Can’t Appease The Fans’ Fury

More fans want superhero stories to act their age, connect with a larger world, and respect metahuman virtues. · E. Stephen Burnett

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Lorehaven helps fans of all ages explore fantastical stories for God’s glory. Find the newest fiction for young readers plus teens+YA and adults. Get articles and podcasts that engage the best Christian-made fantasy, sci-fi, and beyond. Subscribe free to join the Lorehaven Guild for monthly book quests!
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E. Stephen Burnett
E. Stephen Burnett creates sci-fi and fantasy novels as well as nonfiction, exploring fantastical stories for God’s glory as publisher of Lorehaven.com with its Fantastical Truth podcast. As the oldest of six, he enjoys connecting with his homeschool roots by speaking at conferences for Christian families and creators. Stephen is coauthor of The Pop Culture Parent: Helping Kids Engage Their World for Christ from New Growth Press. He and his wife, Lacy, live in the Austin area, where they serve as members of Faith Baptist Church.
Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter

Realm Makers: Go Beyond The Blogs

Realm Makers offered more than cosplay and shared fandom. It gave deep doctrinal magic and a chance for Christian fans to better “incarnate” their love of fantastic fiction. · E. Stephen Burnett

Attack Of The ‘Cast A Woman Doctor’ Critics

Why are media elites (but not most fans) upset that “Doctor Who” did not cast a woman as the Twelfth Doctor? · E. Stephen Burnett

Reviewing New Conferences, Exploring Two Fantasies

A rundown of our Realm Makers conference coverage, plus a promised comparison of (yes) the “Harry Potter” and “Left Behind” fantasy franchises. · E. Stephen Burnett

From CAPC To Realm Makers

As the Realm Makers conference begins, enjoy my speculative-story-related articles at Christ and Pop Culture about Christ-figures, superheroes, faith-based films, and apologetics vs. imagination. · E. Stephen Burnett

Left Behind: A Rapturous Remake

Escapist world of end-times novelty, or fictional fulfillment of real prophecies? However we look at “Left Behind,” here’s how we can explore the movie remake. · E. Stephen Burnett

Speculative Faith Movie Missions: Intro

Christians defend movies because they’re entertaining, morally edifying, or even evangelistic. Yet we have greater reasons to enjoy visual stories. · E. Stephen Burnett

The Empire Slides Back

We can concede a hero’s or nation’s internal flaws without denying the hero or nation are truly great. · E. Stephen Burnett

Overthrow Of The Old Ones

“Mawwiage is what tears us asunder today.” Yet Christians are Guardians of the Old Story. · E. Stephen Burnett

Superman Soups Up Sermons

Should Christians help promote cinematic Christ-callbacks? · E. Stephen Burnett

Three Scriptural Cautions Against Self-Publishing

Self-publication could distract from God and chief ends, bypass the Church Body working together, and sacrifice team-built excellence. · E. Stephen Burnett

How To Be A Silly Christian Fiction Critic

Don’t read actual Christian fiction. Compare apples and oranges. And especially, never challenge your own silent acceptance of evangelical tropes. · E. Stephen Burnett

Star Trek Into Fun Yet Generic and Derivative Darkness

The latest “Star Trek” film has great cast, visuals, and action. But the story ends up derivative, the worldview one of “distractism,” and the titular “darkness” generic and dull. · E. Stephen Burnett

Relics, Relics, Relics

Behold the Christian MacGuffin, the Mushi: a quasi-Biblical object with Surprising Supernatural Powers for plot purposes. · E. Stephen Burnett

Surprise! Wrong Villain

“We create our own demons,” Tony Stark concludes in Iron Man 3. Very true, but subversion can only go so far. We also fight actual demons and overt villains. · E. Stephen Burnett

Realm Makers 2013: Registration Now Open

Fantasy/sci-fi/speculative writers of the Christian persuasion: registration has opened for the Realm Makers writers’ conference, this August in St. Louis. · E. Stephen Burnett

The Forgotten Reader 3: Sharing The Joy

Many blogs advise how to pitch projects to editors. But how would you pitch fantasy itself to *readers* — parents, Lewis/Tolkien-or-bust fans, or church friends? · E. Stephen Burnett

The Forgotten Reader 2: R.E.A.D.

Before discussing reading first and writing shop-talk second, what do we mean by “reading”? True reading starts with humble Receiving and ends in God-worshipful Delight. · E. Stephen Burnett

Doctor Who: From ‘The Bells …’ To ‘Hide’

“Who” viewers, what have you thought of series 7.5 so far? · E. Stephen Burnett

Casting Light Against Dark In ‘The Twilight Gospel’

Even if you’re a man, even if you don’t care for Twilight, you should read UK author Dave Roberts’ nonfiction exploration.

Resurrection, Part 4: Creation Will Rise

Jesus resurrected from the dead. Yet God’s Story also says resurrection will spread to “the creation itself,” Earth and beyond. · E. Stephen Burnett

‘Freeheads’: A Finale At Liberty

Kerry Nietz’s third sci-fi novel continues The DarkTrench Saga’s course to an unpredictable and satisfying journey’s end.

Story Shutdowns

This may be unfair, but some themes, phrases, or single words in story descriptions make me instantly shut down. · E. Stephen Burnett

In ‘Heaven’, Randy Alcorn Explores Biblical Imaginations Of New Earth

Longing for the New Earth is crucial to Biblical delight in reality and stories. Randy Alcorn’s deep-doctrine exploration is a great start.

Resurrection, Part 3: We Are Risen; We Will Rise

Christ is risen. Next comes a truth echoed by heroes such as The Iron Giant and Iron Man: human resurrection, which comes in at least two stages. · E. Stephen Burnett

Resurrection, Part 2: Christ Is Risen

Divine energy courses through His dead body. Light blazes. His heart beats. Tissues repair and muscles tighten. Some wounds vanish; five others stay as evidence. Resurrection begins. · E. Stephen Burnett

In The News: Mid-March 2013

“The Hobbit” on DVD, reviewing the “Left Behind” dramatic audio pilot, “Doctor Who” promos, St. Patrick, a low view of what Jesus can handle, and one theologian’s “Jack the Giant Slayer” criticisms. · E. Stephen Burnett

Resurrection, Part 1: Prelude

Every good hero in fantasy and science fiction must experience some kind of death and rebirth. Only one Hero has truly done it. And only He can share the joy of His Resurrection. · E. Stephen Burnett

Speculative Faith Upgraded: News, Feedback Forms, and Beyond

Speculative Faith is more than a blog. Here’s what we’ve added this week on our continuing journey to be the top resource portal for Christian speculative story exploration. · E. Stephen Burnett

Listening To Left Behind: Prologue

Skip the “Left Behind” movies (likely including the upcoming “Caged” remake). The audio-drama series is much more fun. And I hope to re-explore them in a new series. · E. Stephen Burnett

Fiction Christians From Another Planet! VIII: The Invisible Body

Why do some Christian novels treat local churches like they treat characters going to the bathroom? Why in effect say “ew” to the body of Christ? · E. Stephen Burnett

Fiction Christians From Another Planet! VII: Attack Of The Spiritoids

From the misquote “you are a soul, you have a body,” to spiritual-warfare “only unseen realities matter” assumptions, to end-times evacuation-from-Earth tropes, Gnostic spiritoids infect some Christian fiction. · E. Stephen Burnett

Fiction Christians From Another Planet! VI: Alien Love Slaves

Even in many speculative-novel subplots, the bad Christian-fiction romance is coarse, and rough, and irritating, and it gets everywhere. · E. Stephen Burnett

Fiction Christians From Another Planet! V: Pagan Straw Men

Lame theology may lead to alien non-Christian characters. They’re made of straw that’s been cut from official-ministry “manuals” about how pagans think and built on un-Biblical foundations of “ministry platforms.” · E. Stephen Burnett

Fiction Christians From Another Planet! IV: Terror Of The Megachurchians

If we only ever meet in Christian novels pagan characters overcome by platitudes like “Really? There’s a God who loves — me?”, the author has gone beyond corny. Worse, our Hero and the Gospel look ridiculous. · E. Stephen Burnett

Fiction Christians From Another Planet! III: Voices From Beyond

You want a Christian-fiction notion that makes pagan readers cackle and other Christians cringe? Then exalt voices-from-beyond as the only way God daily guides His people. · E. Stephen Burnett

Screwtape on Redefining ‘Realism’

“Your patient, properly handled, will have no difficulty in regarding his emotion at the sight of human entrails as a revelation of Reality and his emotion at the sight of happy children or fair weather as mere sentiment.” · E. Stephen Burnett

Fiction Christians From Another Planet! I: Invasion Of The Child-People

Why do some Christian novels keep presenting only equivalents of kid-Anakin or Wesley Crusher, instead of Han Solo or Captain Picard, and expect readers to like them? · E. Stephen Burnett
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Lorehaven helps fans of all ages explore fantastical stories for God’s glory. Find the newest fiction for young readers plus teens+YA and adults. Get articles and podcasts that engage the best Christian-made fantasy, sci-fi, and beyond. Subscribe free to join the Lorehaven Guild for monthly book quests!
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