The Chronicles of Seth: In Pursuit of Giants

Rating:
Summary: A refreshing change
Review: I have searched for this book for a long time. Well, not this book exactly, but some fiction that has dealt with this particular time period from this perspective (before the Noachian Deluge, with a young Earth in mind). As a writer myself, I enjoy the world-building of such writers as Robert E. Howard and J.R.R. Tolkein, and it has always intrigued me to see if someone might try such a feat from a creationist point of view. Lo and behold, after a multiplicity of word searches, I came across this book.

Is it Tolkein? No. It's not even Howard. It has a few typos and "amateur" sylings that one would expect from a publishing house that does not edit its output. However, it is a capable adventure story with a fresh perspective, and an imaginative approach. Though a few of the creationist concepts (like the fire-breathing parasaurolophus) seem a little shoehorned into the framework of the story, it is a relief to see dinosaurs and man co-existing in a natural setting, without the standard evolutionary fall-back of time-travel. The matter-of-fact presentation is part of the charm of this story; one does not know the origins of the giants, nor is a big deal made of discrediting evolutionary theory; the story simply tells itself.

Fans of Clint Kelly's Reg Danson series should enjoy this book; it's clean enough for family reading, and meaty enough that it should appeal to fans of adult adventure. It is also excellently illustrated by the talented Canadian artist Lewis Lavoie (well enough that I am sorely tempted to look into having my own books illustrated), whose upcoming book on the Land of Nod is eagerly awaited on my shelf.

All in all, a satisfying read, if not necessarily a classic. My only real complaint is that the women were not given stronger roles. I am hoping that the promise of more books in the series (as given on the authors' website) is not an empty one, as I am looking forward to completing my collection of this truly unique venture into historical fantasy fiction.