Very enlightening and open minded. A perfect blend of information and fantasy. I highly recommend it for any one who is seeking an interesting and refreshing take on Magic and Miracles. If you are looking for a book that will make you think, wonder, and challenge your beliefs, while holding your interest from first to last page, this is the book for you.

I thought this book done well. It gives a good overall approach as to why or why not to read or watch certain genres of entertainment.
Definitely recommend to anyone interested in learning and discernment in regards to the speculative fiction genre.

I grew up in a household where some fiction was okay to read and watch, but not all. It was never clearly defined to me what about certain fiction made it okay or not okay. Now, as a Christian adult I sometimes still struggle with wondering what is okay to watch or read and what isn't. Even more so: "what is okay for my kids?"

Marian A. Jacobs helps cut through the confusion with this book. She makes important points about what to look for before allowing fictional tales into our homes. She also argues for the importance of fiction.

This book had me reflecting on my love for fiction through reading, writing, and imaginative play with my kids. It would make sense that I love creating and appreciating others creations given that I am a child the Great Creator. I like that this book shows us how to embrace creativity while still upholding Christian values.

This book provides tools for Christians to discern what is good, what is true, what is beautiful, and what is edifying in the realms of magic and miracles and fantasy literature.

This topic has been of great interest to me for a long time; I grew up in a LOTR and Narnia appreciating household, but we weren’t allowed to read Harry Potter until high school. This logic was perfectly sound to my siblings and I, but questioned by critics and supporters of Harry Potter alike.

This book provides a healthy explanation for what is beneficial, what is harmful, and what is up to personal conviction, in terms of fictional magic and discussions of the occult.

It’s not prescriptive, either. Don’t read this book for a Nice List and Naughty List, a “gotcha” for your friend who’s gotten a liiiiitttle too into books about witches recently. Jacobs is not the media police and won’t add to the law where it’s not been established. Overall, this book is a set of tools to help the fantasy skeptics and enthusiasts alike to discern wisely.

Thank you to Marian A Jacobs, B&H Books, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my gosh, I had no idea how much I needed this book! As I listened to the audiobook, I was unable to do anything else, I was so engrossed. The author put so many things into words I was feeling but couldn’t describe. Thank you for writing this book!!!

MY RATING: 4 1/2 stars

Ever wondered where to draw the line when it comes to fantasy and magic in books? On Magic and Miracles offers a deep dive into supernaturalism in real life--both today and in Bible times--and examines through this lens and through the lens of storytelling how to discern between good and bad fantasy.

⭐ WHAT I LIKED:

👉🏼 First of all, the author puts God at the forefront of her book, stating with humility that though she has done her best, every book is imperfect and hers is no different. She urges the reader to enter her book with God, and I absolutely love this.

👉🏼 The author put a ton of thought and research into her book, and she balances the perspectives of someone ready to throw holy water on anything remotely magical and someone who grew up with Harry Potter. Her self-conducted statistical experiment is fairly reliable by statistical measures (to my knowledge), and all of her opinions are well-researched from articles on both sides of the argument.

👉🏼 I also appreciate how she starts with the basics and then build her research throughout the book, answering one question at a time: What does the Bible say about magic? Does it exist in real life? What's the difference between magic and a miracle? Why is fantasy important for Christians? Why is basic literary structure important to understand? How do I discern good and bad fantasy in books? And...what about Harry Potter?

👉🏼 In a world where Christian art has been neglected or was cheesy for a long time, Christians have entered an age where well-written Christian literature is needed and growing. This is an Esther book, written "for such a time as this."

⭐ WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

👉🏼 The author touches briefly on Word of Faith, mentioning that such people tend to demand things from God rather than fall onto His grace. As someone who grew up in this movement, I would like to clarify: Word of Faith is not demanding things from God, it's claiming the things that He has already promised us in Scripture. If I go up to a fancy restaurant and "demand" a table when I already have a reservation, that's not demanding...that's redeeming. Big difference. That being said, one should still remember to keep a heart posture of humility before God, which was the author's point.

👉🏼 The author gives a very good toolbelt on how to discern fantasy magic intellectually. However, she seems to brush over the idea that words have power and can open doorways to the devil or to God. Even if I read Harry Potter for its gospel themes and love-conquering-death moral (which was cool to hear about since I've never read the series), I still can't deny that I can sense spiritual darkness walking past the Harry Potter aisle in Barnes and Noble.