The Releasing by VJJ Dunn
“The Releasing: Millennial Period Christian Fantasy” by VJJ Dunn appears to be an imaginative and thought-provoking Christian fantasy novel. Here are my thoughts:
The high-concept premise of the story taking place 1,000 years after Satan is unleashed upon the world immediately grabs my attention. As someone who enjoys speculative fiction exploring spiritual themes, I’m intrigued by this apocalyptic biblical setup.
The idea that the protagonist, Allie, has spent centuries training “Remnant Warriors” to battle the forces of evil cultivates a sense of epic stakes and scope. However, the notion that her warriors have grown complacent over time adds an intriguing dimension of personal struggle amidst the cosmic conflict.
I appreciate that the description hints at moments of humor amidst the dramatic plot, with Allie’s “snarkiness” and her joke-laughing relationship with the Heavenly Father. A bit of levity can provide a nice counterbalance in weighty fantasy tales.
The personal doubt and internal crisis of faith that Allie grapples with have me invested in her emotional journey as a character. Religious fantasies that don’t shy away from probing the nuances of belief can resonate deeply.
Overall, “The Releasing” seems to artfully blend grand, metaphysical fantasy conceits about archangels battling the forces of Satan with poignant personal arcs examining themes of faith, purpose, and spiritual fortitude. The enticing mixture of imaginative world-building, emotional character drama, action-packed battles, and glimmers of humor has intrigued me as a reader of speculative Christian fiction. It promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking novel.
