Realm Makers Finalists

What is Realm Makers? A group of like-minded readers, publishers, and authors who come together each year to present a conference and award ceremony for exceptional speculative Christian fiction. Whether it be sci-fi, fantasy, supernatural, steampunk, dystopian, or a mix of it all Realm Makers seeks to recognize those who write in the less-praised categories of Christian fiction.

Despite fantasy and sci-fi books trending in the secular realm for some odd reason they are shunned in many Christian circles. Perhaps it is the use of magic or other worlds that is unsettling for those of the Christian faith. Despite this shunning of the genre many authors strive to overcome this hurtle and many of them join forces with Realm Makers. If you are a reader or writer of this genre I highly recommend you get connected with them! They are bursting through the stigmas and barriers and reaching more people than ever before while each year the conference and its fan base grows.

This week we are going to look at two finalists for the Realm Awards.

Celestial by Hannah Mae, a finalist in the Supernatural Category.

Jediah is an angel who longs to understand what most humans take for granted, God’s forgiveness and grace. Long ago Jediah did something he can never change and it haunts him to this day.

Now he and members of his troop are called upon to complete an undercover mission to stop a demonic plan to unleash a new virus that will be like a second black plague. While searching for clues about the demon behind this new viral weapon, Jediah encounters a young girl dying in a hospital room alone and without the mark of the saved. Her salvation plagues Jediah as much as his guilt-filled past. Will he find redemption? And can he buy this girl precious time to calm the gift of eternal life?

This exceptional Biblically accurate story has been painstakingly researched and refined to bring you an angel story unlike any other.

The covert black-ops-style operation takes place between the spiritual realm and the mortal realm and brings together an unlikely group. A dark brooding angel of death with a past nearly as dark as the captain of the team, Jediah. Along with a clumsy but loveable messenger angel, a wise and kindhearted ministry angel, and two soldiers from Jediah’s troop, the company stands up to Satan himself.

Score sheet.

Spice/Romance: None. Angels are respected biblically and so the only mention of romance is when an angel disguises himself as a husband to another undercover angel pretending to be his wife. As both angels are male this is for humor purposes only.

Violence: mild/high. No excessive gore but angels have regenerative powers and often lose limbs and their version of blood, which is glowing power.

Morals/Worldview: Christian/good morals

Recommended reading age: 18+

Calor by J. J. Fischer, finalist and winner of the Fantasy Category and Book of the Year.

Sephone is given up for adoption but is instead condemned to slavery because of her valuable gift. The ability to enter the mind and suppress or enhance memories. Her world comes crashing down when a former ruler named Dorian enters and saves her life from power-hungry adductors. He reveals the lies she’s been fed and offers her an escape in exchange for her services. He wants the memories of his perished family removed from his mind forever.

Sephone must decide if she will help this mysterious noble on his quest to unite the war-torn land and destroy his memories, or live a life for herself alone in a world that envies her power.

This post-apocalyptic/dystopian fantasy with an intricate magic system by far is my favorite read of 2023 and, oddly enough, is lots of others’ favorite too because it won Book of the Year!

This new adult no-spice fantasy will keep you on the edge of your seat but also enthrall you with its unique world-building. J. J. Fischer excellently weaves a slow burn, age gap relationship (about ten years age difference) into a quest adventure story with post-end-of-world vibes. I particularly enjoy each character’s unique powers and personality. No two are alike and each has their own secrets to hide.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves a unique twist in fantasy stories but is okay with a slight cliffhanger.

Score sheet.

Spice/Romance: Low/none. There is a non-romantic kiss that is used only as a diversion during an event.

Violence: Low/mild. No gore or blood. Most damage is done to characters’ minds using their rare powers.

Morals/Worldview: Christian/good morals

Recommended reading age: 16+

The list of incredible titles and award recipients goes on and on. If you are interested in reading more books like these head over to Realm Makers website and/or their bookstore where they keep all the award recipients’ novels in stock!

Happy reading!