Fiction to Scare the Jesus Into You

The Duke's Handmaid

by Caprice Hokstad

Would you sell yourself into slavery?

This week, the fine folks at the Christian Fiction Review Blog are featuring an otherworldly fantasy piece (and I suppose the fact that there are two suns and it's a different world will classify it as Sci-fi for some) focused around a young woman named Keedrina. In the opening chapter, we are introduced to a world with lush scenery, established customs, social inequalities, and nobility.

From the get-go, the story is a blend of character and action. Keedrina's character is very deeply portrayed in a way that will allow any reader to either empathize with her or decide this isn't the story for them. As the story progresses, we get to see all of Keedrina's struggles, longings, qualities, and shortcomings. We also get to see how those things effect and are effected by the world around her.

As with many great fantasies, the story starts off with a tragedy that allows a "simple" character (using that term more in a social sense than anything else) to leave a "simple" life. Keedrina shows the hunger for more out of her life that will resonate with many readers. The tragedy that befalls her is terrible and the catalyst for bringing Keedrina into this intriguing new world.

At it's core, much of The Duke's Handmaid reads like an impossible romance. There is a masculine hero so strong and enticing that legions of women gladly gather at his feet so he can pet their hair. I've personally never wanted to caress anyone's boots, but then again, Jesus died a long time ago, so I haven't had an opportunity to feel that way.

Which brings me to the "Christian" content. The CFRB is a Christian blog, right? So where is Christ in The Duke's Handmaid? Sorry, you won't find him. Like C.S. Lewis or Tolkien, Caprice has done a splendid job of hiding Christ in allegory. There are a lot of Biblical allegories in the story and several characters serve roles that could easily be compared to Biblical characters. Over at the official CFRB page, you can read an interesting comparative to several characters and Judas and Peter.

So, what sort of fantasy is this exactly, you might ask? Not having heard much about Caprice's story before setting out to read it, I really had no idea what to expect. This isn't the sort of piece a typical Sword and Sorcery Fantasy reader or a typical Sci-Fi reader would expect. There are no dragons or magicians or fantasy creatures. The people/creatures in Caprice's story are merely variations of human. No true fantasy element vibrates at the center of the story (there is no unique magical engine or supernatural element). In essence, this is a romantic adventure set on an alien world at about a medieval development (though with some technological/industrial advancements. Not scientific exactly--like spaceships or robots--but more than moats and battering rams).

The good:

Great characterization, Biblical allegory, and a well-presented world. The social structures, rituals, and geology are all vividly described. The writing is crisp and finely edited. I could find very little indication that this story hadn't come from a large traditional publisher. I'm surprised this wasn't traditionally published.

The bad:

Possibly some offensive content (depending on how picky you are). There is nothing blatant (like swearing, etc), but the violence is a little brutal if one spends any time trying to truly figure out the things that are being "not said" to avoid being offensive. (catch-22, right?) Long chapters. Every author has their preferences. I'm a bathroom reader most often and I found the chapters to be a bit lengthy for my tastes (certainly not a reason to avoid the story--that's what they make bookmarks for!). Not enough actual fantasy for my taste.

Overall: My take is that this is really just a historical romance with a very faint twinge of fantasy thrown in. This isn't my sort of read (as in I wouldn't normally go to a book store and buy this story if I knew enough about it), but it is a good read written by a solid author who promises much more with subsequent books. There will be sequels! I would recommend the story to anyone who like a splash of adventure and romance as well as anyone just looking for a quality escape from reality with positive, Christian allegories.

The best way to make a decision about anything, is to learn more about it and sample it for yourself. Below is a link to both the official website and 1st chapter! Go get it people!

THE DUKE'S HANDMAID is available at Amazon.com

Check out Caprice's website at Welcome to Latoph for even more information on her world (including a study guide, etc).

You can see what Caprice has to say about things at her blog: Queen of Convolution

And if you're so inclined, check out the first chapter of THE DUKE'S HANDMAID at THE DUKE'S HANDMAID – Chapter One