Book Review: Anger of the King
It’s unusual to feature a novel on this blog, and showcasing one written for young adults makes this even more out of the ordinary. However, many of us have teens and preteens in our families and certainly our church families. Many of these young people read fiction. In that light, Anger of the King is a new title worth investigating.
Anger of the King, by J. B. Shepherd, is for anyone who enjoys entering and embracing a fantasy land with its own vocabulary and lore. In this world of Aard, people wear thricks, harvest funja, and eat wedding berries. Armies wage war and dragons breathe fire. But this isn’t mere fantasy—Shepherd’s book is unapologetically allegorical. It tells of a land in rebellion against its king. The king can withhold his anger against his disloyal subjects for only so long (hence the title).
Readers familiar with the themes of Scripture will have no trouble making connections between Shepherd’s imaginary drama and the historical and theological drama of the Bible. In this novel, thirty-nine stones engraved with the king’s laws represent the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament. The Teacher, recognizably named Immanuel, is a figure symbolic of the Lord Jesus. The inhabitants of Aard must offer lambs as payment for their acts of disobedience. The protagonist’s name is Adam Sonneman III — the allegory is obvious! However, this isn’t to say Shepherd merely plays back the gospel narrative in a predictable fashion. He weaves the themes of redemption, adoption, and the new covenant into a suspenseful drama of a young boy searching for a father-figure. Plot twists serve to keep the readers interested and allow them to experience the emotions that ought to go hand in hand with grasping the gospel.
Reading Anger of the King, I found myself musing on the purpose of allegory, especially one as overt as this. Why not read the Bible instead? What right does a fallible author have to make up a story intended to retell the infallible Word of God? My conclusion is that an allegory like this one allows us to view biblical themes through the eyes of a character we find relatable. It creates empathy and leads to making personal application. Adam falls short again and again. He feels guilty, and finds his best efforts to have a relationship with King Eliab a dismal failure. Thoughtful readers should see in their own life, how they too have fallen short and can’t do anything of themselves to repair their relationship with “the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isa 6:5). The gospel themes are clear and compelling. Chapters begin with a Bible verse that connects with the theme. Overall, the book is instructive, encouraging, and even evangelistic.
I recommend this book, specifically for a target audience of boys somewhere between the ages of eleven and fifteen. That’s a demographic probably known more for spending its time immersed in video games than books. So Shepherd’s first novel can be an encouragement to them that Christians stand to benefit from edifying Christian writing, even Christian fiction. You could also give it to an unsaved young person who enjoys reading fantasy novels. It might help them see the gospel message in a new light.
You can find out more and purchase copies here at J. B. Shepherd’s website: Angeroftheking.com
It’s also available on Amazon: Anger of the King
Check back soon for an interview with J. B. Shepherd, author of Anger of the King!
Brent Niedergall is youth pastor at Catawba Springs Christian Church in Apex, North Carolina. You can read more of his books reviews atReading Religion, a publication of the American Academy of Religion.