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1) An active God who cares
When the characters (mostly nominal believers) do, finally, take the time to pray, God answers in various ways. He obviously
has a plan being worked out, and the characters are encouraged to spend time with Him.
2) Morals
A. We need to spend time with God.
God wants us to spend time with him, and it truly is a privilege when we do.
B. Patience is indeed a virtue.
Much of the characters’ suffering originates in a lack of patience.
C. Our choices have consequences.
Just being sorry about something doesn’t make the consequences go away, and often the consequences are more severe
than we thought possible.
D. Our means do determine our ends despite our original intentions.
Our method directly affects the results much like the ingredients in a cake. The end never justifies the means in the traditional
sense, but rather it is the direct result of the means. Or simply stated, “You get exactly what you pay for.”
3) Highlighting the consequences of our choices
Time and again the characters reap what they sow.
4) A personal story, not a game of thrones
A. The book follows five major characters as they struggle with guilt, fear, and bad choices.
B. It’s about five people in search of their place in this world and the next.
5) Combines fantasy with the spiritual realm
Imagine the shadowed as more the fallen angel devoid of glory than the disgusting creature so often portrayed in the works
of Frank Peretti. My main characters don’t have quite the prayer life that his do, and consequently, the shadowed seem
to have more success.
6) A special blend of science fiction and fantasy.
The technologically advanced Tower of Gilead stands above a world (Choaradar) on the verge of industrial revolution, but still
dealing with tribal cultures, swords, and dragons.
7) No magic
8) Two new races
A. The Insidis
The insidis have weakened physical senses, but they are able to see and converse with messengers and shadowed (angels and
demons). They are also able to walk in someone’s dreams at their own risk. Physically they are a large, well-built,
pale (almost bluish), highly social race. They share the ability to animate an animatoid like humans but tend to be able
to last longer.
B. The Tanthris
They have a sixth sense that can feel disruptions in the magnetic field (much like a shark), and their other senses are generally
more keen. They are true seekers of beauty and live in awe of God’s creation. They are tall, thin, dark-skinned,
individualists, who are prone to wander and full of curiosity.
9) Animatoids
A. What are they?
An animatoid is like a primitive robot that is composed of all hardware with no software. It contains numerous anchors that
are attached like tendons in a regular body. The animator (operator) can move the machine by pulling or pushing various anchors.
B. Why do they work?
The numerous anchors contained within and animatoid are animated by an hereb (or soul) of a human or Insidis that voluntarily
attaches itself and animates the anchors. This of course requires the surrender (read death) of the original body. However,
should the anchors be destroyed the hereb would be obliged to move on to eternity. In many ways an animatoid is kind of like
a more durable body without the influence of emotion-generating chemicals. You can read more here.
10) Interesting system of time and measurement
A. Time
Choaradar spins quickly enough that there is a night or darkening in the middle of each day. Their clocks are also set in
a simple base ten system. The index has a clear explanation and comparison.
B. Measurement.
Distance is measured in practical strides, cubits and handbreadths.
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