Editorial Review
Award–winning journalist Richard Abanes clears away the confusion many readers experience over fantasy books and films. He delves into the differences between various forms of fantasy and digs out answers needed by every parent, youth worker, teacher, and student.
The stories of Tolkien, Lewis, and Rowling—and films based on them—have touched millions of lives. How are these authors similar...and different? Where do they fit into today’s ever–growing desire for the mystery and magic fantasy provides? Abanes—himself a fantasy and science–fiction fan—helps shed light on this form of entertainment and its effects on today’s youth.
Readers will come away thoroughly equipped to differentiate between stories and films that are harmless, even inspiring—and those containing spiritual dangers.
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Customer Reviews
just what I think 
2005-11-04
Instead of doing a good cristian thing (and if he wants to PROTECT children) and write how to be a good parent, raise your child to become a good person, he invest his time on debunking Harry Potter .. WHY??? because he makes more money this way..
I wouldn't let my children read ANY Abanes book, maybe they'll turn into narrowminded persons like this man, who in my opinion are what's wrong in this world.. (Just kidding, I think children are smart and deserve the same respect as adults, as JKRowling thinks. And Richard Abanes clearly doesn't. I woudl let my children read Mr Abanes' books I would just sit with them and explain how and why some people are like that)
Really, now? 2008-04-12
While this book tries to be fair and impartial, it fails miserably by taking on too many topics for its short length. Abanes published his book before the final volume of the Harry Potter series was released, and so misses much of what Rowling was trying to do with the series, where she reveals herself to be highly literate in Christianity. He also glosses over many of the critical aspects that parents could find objectionable in the Narnia series - like the scene with Bacchus and the dancing naked in the streets with him.
The whole second half of the book makes absolutely no connection with the first half, in that none of the LotR, Narnia, or HP movies were really discussed. Instead, Abanes focused more upon how the rating system in America sucks - since he doesn't even mention the UK ratings system, which is a further bias that mars the work. He makes allegations about the violence of the "society" that watches/reads/listens to works where violence is glorified. What Abanes fails to take into consideration is that this is a mainly American phenomenon. This violence is just not present in other countries that have access to the exact same material. Which begs the question - what really is the cause of all the violence here in America? Obviously not what Abanes is trying to pin it on. By placing the blame too much on the works rather than the parents that should be guiding their children in what they read/watch/listen to, Abanes is taking away the responsibility that is every parent's duty in raising their children in the model that they want them raised.
Book Title Is Slightly Misleading though... 
2007-03-21
This book contains a pretty in depth comparison of three influential series of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Narnia however the book as a whole does not fully revolve around these works alone. This is the first Abanes work I have read and I am quite delighted by his depth of research and care for the very influential art forms of literature and visual media. The author demonstrates and sounds a warning bell to parents about the need for greater discernment when it comes to media choices for children.
The book's subtitle, in my opinion, more acurately depicts the content. Direct quotes from a variety of sources are quoted in the copious notes at the rear of the book. A side comment about the notes is the usability of them with page references as well as chapter references. Kudos to the publisher/ editors. One of the more helpful insights I received from this book is the information about how a child develops cognitively and when they are able to best distinguish between fantasy and reality.
Giving the reader as much information as possible about the franchises and how they can be interpreted for good or ill 2006-03-14
Written by a devout Christian who is pro-literature and pro-fun, yet at the same time aware of the vulnerabilities of the developing minds of young Christian children, Harry Potter, Narnia, and the Lord of the Rings: What You Need to Know About Fantasy Books and Movies is a balanced appraisal of the positive and negative influences that popular fantasy novels and movies can have upon the Christian youth of today. Though the text focuses especially on the three franchises in the title, Harry Potter, Narnia, and the Lord of the Rings also discusses broader implications of children's fantasy literature in its depictions of the occult, its connections to Wicca and neopaganism, and its usage by corporations to mass-market products and cement a consumerist mentality in young people as early as possible in life. Do not mistake Harry Potter, Narnia, and the Lord of the Rings for a book that unilaterally condemns the franchises of its title, fantasy literature in general, or even non-Christian religious beliefs; for example, the author does not denounce Wicca or neopagan faiths as "evil", but rather warns against the relativistic morals of these beliefs (which often follow the basic code that doing harm to others is unacceptable, yet leave the nuances of deciding what is or is not harm to others up to the individual - thereby allowing individuals to justify such actions as sexual promiscuity). Harry Potter, Narnia, and the Lord of the Rings devotes itself to giving the reader as much information as possible about the franchises and how they can be interpreted for good or ill, leaving the reader to decide whether his or her children are ready to experience the literature and movies without jeopardizing their spiritual development. Highly recommended.
Must read for parents 2006-01-09
I read the first four Harry Potter books and enjoyed them, but after reading Abanes book, I've decided not to let my children read them--at least until they're adults and can separate fantasy from reality.
Children need to know that God is the only one who can guide and direct their lives, and they should turn to Him for guidance in all areas of their lives. Harry and His friends practice the magic arts, which is an abomination to God. Children will come to believe they can cast spells or do other things to solve their problems when the only one who can solve their problems is Jesus Christ.
Please do not let your children read the Harry Potter books. The books are just an opening for Satan to take hold of them and draw them away from God.
Well written book and very enlightening. But I think many readers will say, "Don't confuse me with the facts when my mind is already made up." I think in the next few years we're going to see the effects Harry Potter has had on our children when the kids reading the books become teens.
I dislike seeing reviews by folks who obviously haven't read the book. If God blesses Abanes with profits from the sales of this book, then let it be so. It is profits well deserved.
Abanes challenges to be discerning 2005-11-08
Harry Potter, Narnia, and the Lord of the Rings by Richard Abanes is a dissection of three of the greatest fantasy phenomena around today. Is fantasy harmful? Can we learn from it? Are there different types? How does fantasy affect us?
These are just a few of the questions Abanes answers in his informative book. As a mildly interested reader and watcher of fantasy, this book surprised me as it disclosed the impact that reading or observing fantasy can have on a person--especially a child or teenager. Yet parents are often very lax in supervising what their children read or watch, resulting in a decline in morals as well as an increasing interest in the occult.
Abanes compares the three above-named fantasies to show what each is preaching or teaching. With the Narnia and Lord of the Rings series, he shows how Christian values and morals can be taught through the fantasy medium.
With Harry Potter, he raises a few questions. Some in the Christian arena have said it teaches Christian morals. Abanes disputes this by asking: Do we have a clear-cut example of good and bad in Harry Potter? How can we call the hero "good" and yet watch Harry lie, cheat, and steal? What about all the occult spells and paraphernalia explored in the books?
In the last chapters, he shows how television and movies are delving more and more into the occult, including horror movies and even prime-time weekly television programs. "Children are big imitators," asserts Abanes. Many of the crimes being perpetrated today--especially by children and teenagers--are copycats of scenes watched in movies or television.
Harry Potter, Narnia, and The Lord of the Rings is enlightening while remaining highly readable. Abanes challenges Christian authors and pastors in a friendly way, but calls us all to be discerning of what we put before our children and grandchildren. ..
