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Prophetess of Arden
An unwanted prophetess. A faithless prince. The two must fulfill their destinies if there is any hope for North Arden.
Ripped from her dorm room, Beckah Conrad finds herself pitched into an ancient world. When she accidentally rescues Princess Hadassah Hal-Titus from assassin shades, Beckah is tasked with returning the princess to her brother, the deposed heir to the throne of conquered North Arden.
Beckah fights her attraction to the stubborn prince as they continue their journey toward safety. Even when it is revealed that Beckah is the foretold prophetess, Prince Seth Hal-Titus seems determined to see her as nothing but an outsider. But as her prophetic abilities help them survive shades, and Duramonti conquerors, the prince finds himself feeling a begrudging sense of trust, accompanied by an unsettling attraction. How can this girl from another world possibly help him reclaim his kingdom and his throne?
Ripped from her dorm room, Beckah Conrad finds herself pitched into an ancient world. When she accidentally rescues Princess Hadassah Hal-Titus from assassin shades, Beckah is tasked with returning the princess to her brother, the deposed heir to the throne of conquered North Arden.
Beckah fights her attraction to the stubborn prince as they continue their journey toward safety. Even when it is revealed that Beckah is the foretold prophetess, Prince Seth Hal-Titus seems determined to see her as nothing but an outsider. But as her prophetic abilities help them survive shades, and Duramonti conquerors, the prince finds himself feeling a begrudging sense of trust, accompanied by an unsettling attraction. How can this girl from another world possibly help him reclaim his kingdom and his throne?
- GenresFantasy
487 pages, Paperback
Published March 24, 2023
About the author
L.A. Thornhill
6 books9 followersL. A. Thornhill was bitten by the writing bug at the age of thirteen and never looked for a cure. She is a member of ACFW and Christian Writers Guild of Greater San Antonio since 2016 and Realm Makers since 2018. Has published three devotions for the CWG Christmas Devotionals of 2017-2019, and has one flash fiction on Havok Publishing. Her focus is on the King and Prophet Chronicles; the novella The Lost Descendants being the first tale in the larger story. She is also a Jedi Master with a dual citizenship in Narnia and Middle-Earth.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 28, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up to 5!
Reminiscent of CS Lewis' Narnia series, Thornhill has created a fantastic portal fantasy, where Beckah enters Renatus, a pre-flood, pre-redemption world inhabited by the descendants of Abel. There, she's tasked by Yeshua to be the Voice of Adonai, the prophet that would help restore the Kingdom and lead the Ardenians back to God.
But the one person she is supposed to help the most, the Hand of Adonai, aka the annoying(ly handsome) Prince Seth Hal-Titus, doesn't trust her. She looks too much like the enemy, and sounds like she's crazy.
If there's one thing that Thornhill excels at, it's in building the relationships between her characters. It's always nice to see how they develop and grow around each other - and also grow to like each other despite their spats *ahem*.
The world itself is fantastic, with both wonderful things like raqia and healing clay and terrible things like blood lilies and shades. Beckah's journey of discovery is one that's shared with the reader, as Seth, Hadassah, Judah and Beckah make their way across the country back to South Arden.
One of the things that annoyed me about reading the prequel (The Lost Descendants) was how obvious the Christian parallels were. But this book sets it up perfectly:
Prophetess of Arden works as a Christian fantasy, at times drawing from Biblical stories and yet setting up its own rules and history. This can only be done because it isn't Earth, thereby avoiding accusations of heresy should the book's faith and theology differ from common interpretations of the Bible (though the more conservative would say fantasy itself and speculation of other worlds is heresy, lol). Yet, it's also Earthlike enough that it could be some form of medieval fantasy if you squint.
The book clearly sets up for the next one in the series, which I'm totally looking forward to! If you haven't read any of this series at all, I'd actually recommend reading this one first before going back to the prequel, because the prequel actually makes so much more sense AFTER you've read this.
Note: I received a digital ARC of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Reminiscent of CS Lewis' Narnia series, Thornhill has created a fantastic portal fantasy, where Beckah enters Renatus, a pre-flood, pre-redemption world inhabited by the descendants of Abel. There, she's tasked by Yeshua to be the Voice of Adonai, the prophet that would help restore the Kingdom and lead the Ardenians back to God.
But the one person she is supposed to help the most, the Hand of Adonai, aka the annoying(ly handsome) Prince Seth Hal-Titus, doesn't trust her. She looks too much like the enemy, and sounds like she's crazy.
If there's one thing that Thornhill excels at, it's in building the relationships between her characters. It's always nice to see how they develop and grow around each other - and also grow to like each other despite their spats *ahem*.
The world itself is fantastic, with both wonderful things like raqia and healing clay and terrible things like blood lilies and shades. Beckah's journey of discovery is one that's shared with the reader, as Seth, Hadassah, Judah and Beckah make their way across the country back to South Arden.
One of the things that annoyed me about reading the prequel (The Lost Descendants) was how obvious the Christian parallels were. But this book sets it up perfectly:
Prophetess of Arden works as a Christian fantasy, at times drawing from Biblical stories and yet setting up its own rules and history. This can only be done because it isn't Earth, thereby avoiding accusations of heresy should the book's faith and theology differ from common interpretations of the Bible (though the more conservative would say fantasy itself and speculation of other worlds is heresy, lol). Yet, it's also Earthlike enough that it could be some form of medieval fantasy if you squint.
The book clearly sets up for the next one in the series, which I'm totally looking forward to! If you haven't read any of this series at all, I'd actually recommend reading this one first before going back to the prequel, because the prequel actually makes so much more sense AFTER you've read this.
Note: I received a digital ARC of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 25, 2023
I love this book. I may be a bit biased since I had the honor of being one of the editors. This is the second book I ever edited so it holds a special place in my heart.
All that aside...
Let me just say. I love Seth.😍 Read this for Seth if nothing else will convince you. 🤣
All that aside...
Let me just say. I love Seth.😍 Read this for Seth if nothing else will convince you. 🤣
March 29, 2023
What I found most fascinating about this story is actually the world. It’s a biblically-based world apart from Earth with familiar parallels and name references, yet its own rich cultures and fantastical creatures. I won’t spoil the explanation, but trust me, it’s brilliant. It’s especially brilliant because it allows for a strong theological component that doesn’t fit exactly into either the allegory or Christian Fiction boxes and avoids the cheesiness one can find in both.
The characters are all very distinct and loveable in their own ways, from the sarcastic and sassy heroine to the fierce but thoughtful hero. I related to them even though I have a wildly different personality and experience from theirs, which really speaks to Thornhill’s ability to portray their raw struggles, flaws, and triumphs in a compelling manner.
That does lead me to one caution, that the story does have some more intense content than most of the books I review. The violence can be a little more gruesome (but not descriptive or graphic) in combat and evil creatures, and there are some references to trigger topics in the characters’ backstories such as attempted suicide and adult situations. Again, these are not graphic or overdone, and they are justified in the plot, but if these are particularly sensitive areas for you, use some caution.
All in all, this made for a compelling read with a gripping climax, satisfying romance, fascinating world, and strong spiritual component.
The characters are all very distinct and loveable in their own ways, from the sarcastic and sassy heroine to the fierce but thoughtful hero. I related to them even though I have a wildly different personality and experience from theirs, which really speaks to Thornhill’s ability to portray their raw struggles, flaws, and triumphs in a compelling manner.
That does lead me to one caution, that the story does have some more intense content than most of the books I review. The violence can be a little more gruesome (but not descriptive or graphic) in combat and evil creatures, and there are some references to trigger topics in the characters’ backstories such as attempted suicide and adult situations. Again, these are not graphic or overdone, and they are justified in the plot, but if these are particularly sensitive areas for you, use some caution.
All in all, this made for a compelling read with a gripping climax, satisfying romance, fascinating world, and strong spiritual component.
August 2, 2023
Couldn't put the book down
Book one at its start looked to be an allegory. It wasn't. And I was pleased.
When I started book two, I concluded too quickly that it was going to be one of those books. You know the kind. Where there's time travel to resolve. That's not what this is. Or a rift in reality with one character traveling back and forth. It's not that either. For which I am thankful.
Prophetess portrays a devout believer clinging to the truth, trying to rescue a prince from his hatred of the Messiah. And protecting a mixed heritage princess from the prince's men who are bent on genocide.
The genuine relationships and inner struggles invigorate the soul. I sacrificed most of say lost in this book.
It left me one regret. Why didn't the author show the friends at the castle ruins? I would have loved to see them there.
An excellent read. So thankful I bought it.
Book one at its start looked to be an allegory. It wasn't. And I was pleased.
When I started book two, I concluded too quickly that it was going to be one of those books. You know the kind. Where there's time travel to resolve. That's not what this is. Or a rift in reality with one character traveling back and forth. It's not that either. For which I am thankful.
Prophetess portrays a devout believer clinging to the truth, trying to rescue a prince from his hatred of the Messiah. And protecting a mixed heritage princess from the prince's men who are bent on genocide.
The genuine relationships and inner struggles invigorate the soul. I sacrificed most of say lost in this book.
It left me one regret. Why didn't the author show the friends at the castle ruins? I would have loved to see them there.
An excellent read. So thankful I bought it.
May 13, 2023
Prophetess of Arden by L.A. Thornhill is a Christian fantasy novel set in an alternate world populated by the descendants of Able.
I found it a creative take on world building setting the story in a world that never experienced a global flood, never had a babble, and never received the holy spirit through the sacrifice of Christ.
It created an interesting mental image somewhere between ancient Israel and the heavily christianized middle ages.
The Characters are all wounded and flawed individuals who straddle that sweet spot between strong and vulnerable.
My favorite character was Dassah who's personally was a fresh escape from some of the sadder back stories.
*The author gave me an electronic copy for review my opinion here isy honest evaluation of the provided book.*
I found it a creative take on world building setting the story in a world that never experienced a global flood, never had a babble, and never received the holy spirit through the sacrifice of Christ.
It created an interesting mental image somewhere between ancient Israel and the heavily christianized middle ages.
The Characters are all wounded and flawed individuals who straddle that sweet spot between strong and vulnerable.
My favorite character was Dassah who's personally was a fresh escape from some of the sadder back stories.
*The author gave me an electronic copy for review my opinion here isy honest evaluation of the provided book.*
July 19, 2023
Great start. Imaginative. Looking forward to the next in the series.
November 30, 2023
Wonderful Book!
I don’t know when I have enjoyed a book so much! I can’t wait to read more from this author!!
I don’t know when I have enjoyed a book so much! I can’t wait to read more from this author!!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews