I went into this novel with absolutely no idea on how I would feel about it. I emerged from it thinking that it was quite an interesting read.

I really liked the premise of this book and the way events unfolded in this town. The story is told entirely from Ellsworth's point of view, and he is quite a character. I think the author tries really hard to make him complex, but at times, it was a bit forced. Nevertheless, I was intrigued by Ellsworth and really liked him. There were many different characters who were introduced to the story, and it could be quite confusing to keep them all straight. However, all of the characters had backstories and vices that helped the reader make a connection with them. I did think that everyone's constant positive regard for Ellsworth was a tad overbearing, but it makes sense in terms of the story. 

I really liked the way that the story progressed. We start off with the emergence of this chapel, which has always been present, yet the people of this town have been unaware of it. But once they become aware, they cannot help but visit, enticed by the messages it gives them. Soon, however, it becomes apparent that this chapel is not a blessing - rather, it is curse. The frenzy that developed throughout this story was fantastic, and I really enjoyed every minute of the book.... until we got to the final climax. That's when I felt disappointment. After all this amazing build up and tension and intrigue, the climax felt lackluster. 

Even though the ending was not as great as I had hoped, the story itself was interesting and I enjoyed most of it. I wasn't expecting it to make references to faith (totally missed out that it was labelled as Christian fiction) but the author made it work in the story. I would give this a 3/5 stars.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

DNF 55%, I tried, I really, really tried...There were enough random moments of pull/excitement that I tried to plow through the slower parts but at half of the way through I was still struggling. It started off very slow and even though I left it and tried to pick it back up several times I came to terms that this book was simply just not for me. I did appreciate the writing and the setting but the storyline itself was choppy with so many characters and their backstories.

I was expecting to love this book but at the end of the day I wasn't feeling it. The premise of a chapel in the woods with healing powers that in turn eventually causes people to yield their darkest selves was an intriguing premise, but for me the execution of that premise just didn't hold me. I do believe other readers (as reviews show) will enjoy it but I appreciate the opportunity to read in exchange for an unbiased review.

DNF at 55%. 3 Stars.

I highly enjoyed this read! Not only is it based it South Carolina and I am a South Carolinian, it was very mysterious and sinister! I loved the way the characters interacted with each other and the overall characterisation. The only thing I wish was a tad different was it was slow in the beginning. I loved the mixed elements of this story as well. The mystery was highly enjoyable, making this book a suspenseful ride I am glad I didn’t miss out on!

Michael Ellsworth Newberry, wonder boy of Bellhaven, South Carolina. His life is peppered with stories of his multiple life survivals, but he is fed up with his life. As he tastes the metal of the gun against his mouth life steps in again. The loss of his wife, his leg in WWI and his dreams of playing professional baseball have worn him down. However, the discovery of a mysterious chapel beyond the boundary of the painted trees will put him on another path. Things are changing in Bellhaven and the quiet little town is about to have its citizens questioning their neighbors, their friends and themselves as to what is right and what is wrong.

I believe this is one of those books that you either hate or you love. It has been listed as
‘Christian Fiction’ and I must disagree. There is a lot of faith woven within this story. However, there are many faiths and races within the city limits of Bellhaven which make it an unusual town of its time and all get along, but that is why it is vulnerable. At one point, I was worried it was headed down Stephen King lane. Luckily, it turned before it got to that point. It is not bogged down with gratuitous sex or gory violence. Notice I said, no ‘gory’ violence. There is violence. A story about a battle between good and evil cannot be told without violence. The redeeming quality in this book for me were the characters, not the storyline. I liked the citizens of Bellhaven. Even those that cross the line. There are some truly nasty characters within this story that are not easily liked but unfortunately, there are many still like them today. As the saying goes, leopards don’t change their spots. Overall, it’s a good story and though I wasn’t thrilled with the ending, I understand it. I really liked the dedication of the book. Nice one, Mr. Markert.

All Things Bright and Strange

By James Markert

Published by Thomas Nelson

E-Book ARC

// I received this ARC from #netgalley in exchange for an honest review //

All Things Bright and Strange follows the story of Michael Ellsworth Newberry, who goes by Ellsworth, who's life is strange to say the least. He has survived things that no one could imagine and that make no sense. After the death of his wife and the loss of his leg, Ellsworth has lived a grumpy life that leads him to wanting to kill himself. An act he again survives when the gun doesn't go off. As the story continues, we see that the town of Bellhaven is not quite right. Something is happening that is affecting all the residents of the accepting small town. And all because of a mysterious chapel in the woods. What follows is a story of religion, self-doubt and fantasy straight out of biblical myth.

All Things Bright and Strange is an interesting book. When I say interesting, I mean I really don't know how I feel about it. The story is a mix of fantasy, religion and small town life that left me feeling like I had just watched an episode of Supernatural. If you don't know what Supernatural is, it is a TV show about two brothers who battle the supernatural forces of the world and all sorts of antics ensue. Anyway, I wasn't sure how to take the story at all. It started off well and good, but the story never seemed to find a solid footing. About halfway through the book I could begin to see where the story was going but I felt like chunks of the book were disjointed. The best way I can describe it is "close, but no cigar". It really just needed more detail, more depth. There needed to be more of a backstory to fully make the reader understand where the chapel came from and the people associated with it.

But for all my confusion, it really was a decent story that took a different approach to the eternal battle of good vs evil.

I give All Things Bright and Strange by James Markert 📖📖📖 / 5 bookies. I recommend this book for an interesting read.

Following WW1 Ellsworth Newberry has returned home to the town of Bellhaven, South Carolina a broken man, both physically and mentally. He spends all day at home drinking himself into oblivion, haunted by the war and the death of his beloved wife three years earlier. Each day his gun is looking more and more tempting. One morning Ellsworth decides today is the day he will take his own life but then, just as his finger rests on the trigger, a lone cardinal bird lands on his windowsill. Outside things are changing. All the flowers and trees are blooming out of season, thousands of colourful birds have descended upon the town, and there is something very strange going on in the woods. But this is not the first time such strangeness has come to the town of Bellhaven. Maybe if Ellsworth can find a way out of his melancholia he can get to the bottom of these beautiful but unusual occurrences.

A really enjoyable read that is part historic fiction and part supernatural, good vs. evil, fantasy.

Read my 3-star review of All Things Bright and Strange by James Markert
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for my review. There were so many angles this story could have taken... sadly I ended up being dissatisfied with how things ended up. A depressed suicidal war veteran... a clash of cultures, values and the religious purpose of life intersect with a storyline based on the power of Good and Evil. But in the end I did not feel the supernatural turn in the characters was necessary. The writing became disjointed and some characters relationships were left unaddressed. This was a different style of book with amazing visual descriptions and imagery. I feel the dilemma proposed to the small southern town of Good vs Evil was pertinent and in many ways enjoyable.

I was attracted to the premise of James Markert’s new novel and it turned out to be much more than I expected. In fact, it’s a novel of biblical proportions.

The main character, Michael Ellsworth Newberry, has just returned home to Bellhaven from WWI, with one less leg and a load of guilt and heartache. He is still grieving the death of his wife and the loss of his lifelong friend, Calvin.

Ellsworth is at a crucially low point in his life, when he sees a female cardinal that causes him to rethink the path of his life. The cardinal is a symbol of the fire of life that burns within, a symbol of joy, hope and rejuvenation. To Ellsworth, the cardinal symbolizes his late wife, Eliza.

As Ellsworth slowly emerges from the depression he is in, he realizes the people of Bellhaven have begun to go into the woods. Woods that for years had been off limits. Within these woods is a chapel that is believed to have a “healing floor” and some people claim to hear the voices of their loved ones who have passed away. The chapel has a pull on the people, much the same as an addict craves his drink or drug of choice.

We all know the saying, “too much of a good thing is not good for you” and “things are not always what they seem,” which holds true for the chapel. Ellsworth had his suspicions about the woods and the chapel and soon his suspicions were confirmed.

Gathering a trusted group of friends and newcomers, Ellsworth and the townspeople work together to fight against an evil force that lies in the center of the chapel.

I think readers with a knowledge of the Bible will catch the foreshadowing, the significance of names and possibly have a better understanding of what is to come.
I thought the story was a gentle reminder that we are all connected and need to care for the living and not dwell too much on the past.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson-FICTION for providing me with an advance read in exchange for my honest review.

It seems this book is marked as Christian Fiction and I would like to respectfully decline reading and reviewing it.

A highly original and very engaging tale set in the aftermath of the first world war. Bellhaven is a small Southern town, but unlike so many others it seems to be a place of tolerance and empathy, however the woods which surround it may not be so benign, For years the townsfolk have been wary, and do not venture too far into these woods and stories of strange voices abound, but now something is changing, and its up to returned soldier Michael Ellsworth Newberry to protect the town he calls home, and the people that have supported him for so long. As the townsfolk start to turn on one another viciously, and a strange hidden chapel in the woods seems to be luring them towards destruction , can Ellsworth and his allies reunite them and protect the town from the encroaching supernatural onslaught.
This book is populated by a wealth of well crafted and interesting characters ,from miracle man Ellsworth, to faithful blacksmith Gabriel and one of the things I liked most is the dynamic and diverse makeup of townsfolk, each sufficiently well detailed to make them interesting in their own right , as well as for the part they play in the story. The plot moves a long at a pace designed to draw the reader in, and as the book goes on the sense of impending danger is almost tangible. One of the key aspects of the book, and one of the most interesting things to me as a reader, is the way it deals with religion, in its many forms, and the message of the importance of unity over division and the acceptance of difference.

An interesting stab at mixing the supernatural with a religious foundation, All Things Bright and Strange is a little uneven but still enjoyable.

I do find that the label of 'Christian Fiction' is a little misleading (and based on some reviews on Amazon, I see that other people feel the same way) because that label generally applies to the types of books where someone is grappling with some internal conflict and, through their Christian beliefs, they find their way.

However, I find myself unable to think of anything better, because the book does have a huge basis in the Christian religion. It is, however, really from a historical/scholarly standpoint. Also, this book (which is something I greatly appreciated) gives a strong sense of inclusion and acceptance of other races, religions, and people. There is no hint of superiority, but more of harmony—again, something I found refreshing and impressive.

A little slow in some parts, and a little uneven in others—particularly where the POV switches (for the tiniest fraction of the novel) suddenly to that of several townspeople for small snippets of narration at a time, like a point-of-view wheel—the reveals and the unfolding of the plot were intriguing.

As a Southerner, I found Markert's turns of phrases to be spot on, and they often made me giggle with their authenticity.

All Things Bright and Strange was my first novel by James Markert. Imagine a small Southern town that is surrounded by yellow painted trees that serve as a warning sign for those entering the woods. The woods has many mysteries of its own. Set in the 1940s, the book lashes back to the years after the Civil War. The cast of characters have complex back stories that are slowly revealed like peeling the layers of an onion one layer at a time. Fans of supernatural will enjoy this book, and readers should be prepared to take their time reading to catch all the nuances as the plot is revealed slowly.

While the concept and setting were interesting, I found this confounding and confusing. I'm not sure whether this was meant as a moral or a cautionary tale but it rubbed me wrong. I DNF.

I received this book from NetGalley for my honest review. I was very interested in reading this book as the WW2 time period interests me. It had a very slow start and never did catch my attention.

Surficial faultlines and cracks - geological, social, emotional and historical - permute a magical tale set in post World War I South Carolina.

In the woods of Bellhaven sits a chapel; and a mansion on the hill overlooks the town and the wood.

With vivid settings and prose, well-fleshed character development, and poignant yet inspirational themes; a town and its predestined heroes face a returning evil.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson--FICTION in exchange for an honest review.

A unique premise with a large cast of characters, though the story occasionally got bogged down with lots of explanation from characters

Michael Ellsworth Newberry’s life has been miraculously spared multiple times throughout his life. In his hometown of Bellhaven, South Carolina, he is the unofficial leader of the unusually diverse, small town, Southern community. He has lost his wife to the town hall fire after her rescue of a young black child sought by Klansman, who set the fire. He has lost his leg to World War I, where he also lost his best friend and any chance at the Big Leagues as a pitcher. Left bereft and wallowing in self-pity, Ellsworth is the last of the townfolk to receive the forgiveness and peace offered by lost loves in the mysterious chapel in the woods, the same woods that the children of Bellhaven had been warned to avoid for as long as they can remember. He doesn’t respond as readily as the others to this gift, fighting it, determined to expose the double-edged sword of such a gift.

I also shared the review on Twitter.

Good and evil are not clearly delineated throughout this story of redemption, as flawed, complex individuals come together to fight the true enemy, the enemy to which their eyes must be opened. Each time it seems the story may be slipping into the stereotypical, Christian concept of Armageddon, it edges back into a tale of mythical fantasy with graphic descriptions of extraordinary happenings. Though a tale of good versus evil, it uniquely casts shade on all characters and delivers an astonishing climax and unexpected ending.

I'm a huge fan of any fantastical stuff related to forests, so the premise of this book sounded awesome to me. Unfortunately, I found the execution to be fairly disappointing.

My biggest issue with this book was the treatment of Ellsworth, the main character. I found him to be very unsympathetic throughout the entire book, yet the narrative continually tried to frame him as some kind of amazing hero, when in reality he did very little, and the changes his character did go through felt unearned. The only character I liked was Gabriel, and even then, she deserved better than how the narrative (and Ellsworth) treated her. In general, the treatment of the female characters in this book could have been much better. The only part of this book I really enjoyed was about the last 5% of it.

The scenes felt very disorganized, as did the progression of the plot. At the end, a lot of it just felt needlessly overly complicated, as well as too supernaturally convenient.

The prose was okay sometimes, but there was also a lot of info-dumping and monologuing which just bored me. The concept was so interesting, but sadly the execution wasn't satisfying at all.

It took me a while to decide how I would rate this novel. All Things Bright and Strange is a story set in Bellhaven, a small town in the Southern United States, known for its tolerance and peace between different religions and races. But since the war, things haven't been the same. Then one day a small chapel is found in the woods, and it brings peace and comfort to the townspeople - but something is not quite right about it, and supernatural forces escape through cracks into the natural world, causing tensions and destruction.
First of all, I had a deep disliking for the main character, Ellsworth, for about half of the book. He was unnecessarily rude, especially to Anna Belle, stubborn and difficult. After that, he little by little starts to develop as a character, but I was already too annoyed by him in the beginning to be very touched by it. I liked Anna Belle, Gabriel and Raphael a lot, though!

The story itself was very intriguing, dark and interesting: the tension grew little by little, a hint of wrongness present since the beginning. It was very breath-taking to see the stakes grow higher and higher, and the hate grow too. Intolerance seeps into everyone's minds and thoughtless acts escalate. Somewhere in the middle the story lost pace, broken by the background stories of some characters, which I found frustrating, but still kept going - I was hooked by the story nevertheless.

The Christian undertone is quite strong, and I think if you're deeply religious you might have conflicting thoughts about it. I was raised Christian but I don't practice it, so for me it was interesting to see but I wish it had been done more subtly - but then again, that is a personal preference, if you like Christian novels, I think you'll be alright with it!

I liked the message of tolerance, of a town united against evil, of forgiveness and moving on. I recommend it if you don't mind the Christian tone of the story and would like to read a supernatural story with hints of horror!

I found the story difficult to follow and really get into for me, and I struggled to get through it. I like the idea a lot, but I don’t love how it was executed.