The Shadow Lamp (Bright Empires)

Since this is the 4th book in a series, if you are new to the series you need to pop over to "The Skin Map" listing and start from the beginning.This book is more of the same of what we have already seen in this series, which is to say "a great read". The concept is fascinating. I thought the story moved along well and the budding romance that we see in this installment is adorable. We get to know some interesting characters and they are differentiated much more neatly than in "The Spirit Well". I had to read that one 3 times to get everyone and their storylines sorted. It also brings some very thoughtful insights about the place of God and faith in "life, the universe and everything" (nice nod to another great sci-fi author). I enjoyed this book and look forward to the final volume. I do wonder how all of the loose ends will be wrapped up in only one more book. There are a hoard of characters and a lot of complicated stories going on. We will see.Two glaring issues must be mentioned: This book is called "The Shadow Lamp" despite, as far as I can recall after 3 readings of the previous books in the series, the object in question never being called that before now. This discrepancy is addressed in the book by saying that a character had recently started calling it that. There is a very lame explanation as to why which is also news to me. If memory serves, the object was called simply a "ley lamp" in the previous books. Perhaps "The Ley Lamp" wasn't a cool enough title for some publishing wonk so it had to be changed to something more interesting?The other issue is the insulting and ignorant commentary at the end of the book which nearly ruined the whole thing for me. This author does not shy away from spiritual issues which means he attracts a following of fellow Christians. It is not a great idea to expound on how "preposterous" young earth creationism is (particularly while being obviously ignorant of the very real science which is in harmony with it) when much of his readership probably believes some version of it. Also, there is no "perfectly credible fossil evidence" of an old earth in existence. That myth comes from the highly politicized, highly agendized secular scientists who seem to be the only ones allowed to speak in the mainstream. If you do your homework you will find plenty of scientists who can show "perfectly credible" evidence that most of what we learn in public school science class is total crap. This coming from an author of obvious faith who is reknown for his meticulously researched books, I was deeply disappointed. The Bible has a lot to say about God's truth "confounding the wise" and the dangers of "being conformed to this world". I am as intellectual as the next genius but after examining both sides carefully, I find the creation side unpopular, vigorously censored and loudly shouted down yet far more compelling and substantive. While I respect his right to another opinion, I also would appreciate him keeping the insults and condescension to a minimum in respect of what is very likely the informed opinion of many of his readers.My advice: Read the book. Skip the commentary at the end.

love this bookI have read all of Stephen Lawhead's books. I find that he is a master at telling a tale. This was a very absorbing read. I blasted through most of it and stayed latter than I should reading it because I couldn’t put it down. From start to finish, Lawhead delivers a great ending that makes the entire series a worthwhile read. The pacing is swift and the plot engaging, with very few moments where I felt disconnected from the story. I was overall satisfied with where all the characters ended up, and found few things to quibble about this time around.I have read all of Stephen Lawhead's books. I find that he is a master at telling a tale. The Bright Empire series is no exception. Shadow Lamp is the 4th of five.In this book he is preparing for the final installment. Sometimes it is hard to keep track of the characters and the time dimension they are in but there are enough hooks to keep everything straight.

I like Lawhead, and I had high hopes for this series. But The Shadow Lamp, book 4, demonstrates that the series is getting worse, not better. Lawhead doesn’t always write like this: it’s clearly deliberate. But for what reason I’ve no idea.Plot: about halfway through I couldn’t remember a single interesting event that had happened in the book up to that point. Characters do some ley travel. They go to moderately cool places: Lawhead likes to describe exotic settings, and we’ve got a good bit of that, from Egypt to the Stone Age. They meet other characters. They talk, often about what happened in the last book. But there hardly seemed a reason for this book to exist. By its end I count three events I’m interested in. Surely those events could have been grafted on to the last book or the next one. It’s just odd. Especially coming after, say, book 2, where some crazy, contrived peril was showing up every few (short) chapters. If he’s overcompensating, from busy plot to slow, man, please strike a balance.Tone: OK, so the premise of the series is that the universe is in danger, and that the skin map and the spirit well are going to lead us to a solution. That’s big news! So, why the breezy, lighthearted tone? Kit, the supposed main character, is the worst. For instance, on p. 92, his erstwhile girlfriend makes a circuitous comment: “I see that most of us know most of us, but some don’t know others, and others probably know hardly anyone at all.” Kit whispers to a buddy, “Try saying that ten times real fast.” After having a live-in girlfriend to start the series, Kit has finally progressed to handholding with his current girlfriend by the end of this book. It’s just hard to treat these characters seriously, and as for thinking that the fate of the universe rests on their shoulders, I can’t bring myself to believe it. In Lawhead’s Song of Albion books, Simon starts off a quipper, but he’s cynical, edgy, adult, and his evolution into a significant character of gravity is not outside the bounds of possibility. Lawhead likes cleverness, banter—fine, but the banter in these books sinks to a YA level.The ideological core of the series gets unveiled toward the end of this book, and, even though it isn’t set up believably, it’s not bad. Pretty good. Reminiscent, again, of the Song of Albion books, which suddenly up and reveal theological (and, here, scientific) profundity. This series has what it takes. And, unfortunately, a lot of what it doesn’t take.

I enjoyed the story as a continuation of the series, but actually enjoyed the Skin Map more.In trying to make the characters "younger" there appears a superficiality not found in theother more "adult" characters. Lawhead can create great depth in characters and that can bethe attraction of portions of the story. Youth also can have deep and interesting personality,but I didn't find that in this edition. The story moves along nicely, but wasn't as engaging. Inother stories I was so sorry to have it finish. Here, it felt like another chapter in a series. Enjoyit as a continuation, but not a wonderful addition to the story.

Love any book by this Author, having spent many years reading and collecting every book that he has written. I am always captured by the worlds created, the characters and can never wait to read the next book..only to have the 'agony' of waiting for the next installment. He encourages thought and has lead to to research and buy related books written in the far distant past to gain further knowledge. I thank him for leading me down these paths. Needless to say I can guess at many ways in which this series could end, but doubt that I could create it as well as this Author. Can't wait for the final book!

Good writer

I have really enjoyed the ones before this but not sure about this one and can't put my finger on it. I was losing interest to be honest. Glad I read it though as he is an exceptional story teller.

I had to read this one - got all the others out of the e-library and had a nice man read them to me!!! Any hoo must dash - need to get the next one and see what happens next .

Looking forward to the next instalment but wondering hoe many books in the series? Great story, enjoying reading and looking forward it all being pulled together.