Author: CAstfalk

What appeals to you about the fantasy genre, particularly as a facet (an under-represented facet) of Christian fiction?

What appeals to me about the fantasy genre, and Christian fantasy in particular (both to read and to write) is the way spiritual truths can be woven into a story with fantastical and/or supernatural elements in a way that often has a greater impact than reading a contemporary or straight historical story. As Aslan the lion, the Christ figure in the Chronicles of Narnia tells Lucy at the end of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, “This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.” Even though there is no Christ figure in my Mercy series, sacrificial love is a huge theme.

The Mercy series appears to have all of the necessary elements that make readers fall in love with a fantasy tale: an honorable hero, danger, love, and fearsome enemies. How would you summarize the series?

The initial idea for He Who Finds Mercy came from my frustration with “strong” fantasy heroines who were totally unrealistic and poor role models for teens. I wanted to create a brave young woman who did not have to resort to violence. I did not expect the story to grow to epic proportions, but it spans fifteen years of Mercy the Healer’s life, from age 14 to 29. Through wars, betrayals, and great personal loss, Mercy and her loved ones grow in their faith in the Most High God. Though based on twelfth century British Isles, the world grew organically from the situation, and there are dragons of all sizes, castles, knights, and a gifted royal family. The first book, Mercy’s Prince, can stand alone; the first three can be read as a trilogy; and the last two can be read without reading the first three, since they take place eleven years after book three.