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Archives of Anthropos #2
Gaal the Conqueror
Recipient of a 1989 Christian Home & School C.S. Lewis Gold Medal award! Eleanor McFarland and John Wilson join Gaal, the Son of the High Emperor, in a battle to thwart the evil plans of Lord Lunacy. Book Two in John White's Archives of Anthropos. Winner of the 1989 C. S. Lewis Gold Medal from Christian Home & School.
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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363 people want to read
About the author
John White
68 books48 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
John White was an Evangelical Christian author, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Manitoba and a pastor of Church of the Way.
John White was an Evangelical Christian author, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Manitoba and a pastor of Church of the Way.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 26, 2020
3 stars
Overall I enjoyed this book. I found it somewhat hard to engage, probably due to the book being pitched at younger readers. It’s hard to read this book without making comparisons to both Tolkien’s and Lewis’ fantasy series, but I think this book/series definitely has its own style and narrative.
It’s been a while since I read the first book, but iirc there is a much stronger Christian theme in this book. This does lead to some key plot points being easy to preempt for someone who is familiar with classic bible stories.
Overall I enjoyed this book. I found it somewhat hard to engage, probably due to the book being pitched at younger readers. It’s hard to read this book without making comparisons to both Tolkien’s and Lewis’ fantasy series, but I think this book/series definitely has its own style and narrative.
It’s been a while since I read the first book, but iirc there is a much stronger Christian theme in this book. This does lead to some key plot points being easy to preempt for someone who is familiar with classic bible stories.
December 11, 2020
Gaal the Conqueror is the second book in The Archiv es of Anthropos series by John White, and continues the adventures in the magical land of Anthropos as the battle between good and evil rages on for the control of every living thing. Enter John Wilson, returning from the first book in the series and joined here by new characters of all kinds, including Eleanor MacFarland. Together, they must travel the lands of Anthropos, on a quest to defeat the evil sorcerer Shagah and elude the blasphemous Lord Lunacy.
There are so many things to say about Gaal the Conqueror, and so I'll start here: This book, while labeled second in the series, is actually the fourth book written. John White wrote The Tower of Geburah, The Iron Sceptre, and The Sword Bearer before this one, and at times the seams of the story show through as White is obviously setting pieces in place that will be present in later books in the series. These first two books have circled back to a time before The Tower of Geburah and set up the storyline for the future.
At times haunting, at others deeply profound, this book begins in snowy Canada amidst the search for a missing child. Much like the first book in the series, this book has moments that almost seemed too intense for a children's fantasy series. There is a subplot about this missing child who has clearly been abused. While nothing is explicitly stated here, there is plenty of subtext to indicate what has happened. It left me questioning the audience for this book, as I probably would not want a very young child to read this one, but perhaps for a middle grade and above audience this would work.
The parallels to Christianity seem the most obvious here, and for those who are familiar with the story of Christ, some beats in this story will be telegraphed miles before they take place. However, there is one final twist near the end of the story I did not expect coming, and I actually cried out loud at the book and said, "No!" When a book surprises me, it always gets a higher rating from me, and this twist definitely had me flipping pages to see what would happen next.
There are some fantastic fantasy elements at play here which blend pieces of C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia with the same author's Space Trilogy. Once again, the ghastly Lord Lunacy returns, but this time with a host of creepy friends who show up near the last third and are definitely nightmare material.
However, for all the good this book contains, the lead character's story arc, much like in The Sword Bearer seems the most lacking here. John Wilson's "growth" throughout the story is slight at best, and John and Eleanor both serve to move the plot along and help us discover new aspects of this fantasy world through their actions and reactions.
I found this second book more engaging than the first, and I already have the third book, The Tower of Geburah on my shelf, waiting to be cracked open and read! For fantasy fans of series such as The Chronicles of Prydain or The Chronicles of Narnia, you definitely won't go wrong reading this classic gem.
There are so many things to say about Gaal the Conqueror, and so I'll start here: This book, while labeled second in the series, is actually the fourth book written. John White wrote The Tower of Geburah, The Iron Sceptre, and The Sword Bearer before this one, and at times the seams of the story show through as White is obviously setting pieces in place that will be present in later books in the series. These first two books have circled back to a time before The Tower of Geburah and set up the storyline for the future.
At times haunting, at others deeply profound, this book begins in snowy Canada amidst the search for a missing child. Much like the first book in the series, this book has moments that almost seemed too intense for a children's fantasy series. There is a subplot about this missing child who has clearly been abused. While nothing is explicitly stated here, there is plenty of subtext to indicate what has happened. It left me questioning the audience for this book, as I probably would not want a very young child to read this one, but perhaps for a middle grade and above audience this would work.
The parallels to Christianity seem the most obvious here, and for those who are familiar with the story of Christ, some beats in this story will be telegraphed miles before they take place. However, there is one final twist near the end of the story I did not expect coming, and I actually cried out loud at the book and said, "No!" When a book surprises me, it always gets a higher rating from me, and this twist definitely had me flipping pages to see what would happen next.
There are some fantastic fantasy elements at play here which blend pieces of C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia with the same author's Space Trilogy. Once again, the ghastly Lord Lunacy returns, but this time with a host of creepy friends who show up near the last third and are definitely nightmare material.
However, for all the good this book contains, the lead character's story arc, much like in The Sword Bearer seems the most lacking here. John Wilson's "growth" throughout the story is slight at best, and John and Eleanor both serve to move the plot along and help us discover new aspects of this fantasy world through their actions and reactions.
I found this second book more engaging than the first, and I already have the third book, The Tower of Geburah on my shelf, waiting to be cracked open and read! For fantasy fans of series such as The Chronicles of Prydain or The Chronicles of Narnia, you definitely won't go wrong reading this classic gem.
January 11, 2024
Love this series 😄😍
August 20, 2020
This series is great for younger readers. I know some reviewers say the Biblical parallels are overdone and overly obvious, but to a kid, that doesn't matter. I've done the series as a readaloud, and my kids' faces light up whenever they recognize those parallels. The story is engaging for them, and they keep wanting to read more. Likewise, I read them as a young reader and enjoyed them. So it's fun to pass them onto the next generation.
February 27, 2022
I wanted to like this book. But it took far too long to read for 312 pages and that is because it stayed in the bathroom instead of following me around the house. I finished it today only because I decided it was time to move on and I was so close to the end, I might as well keep reading.
I wonder if this was actually the first book written and the second book published. It has the earmarks of a first book - weird pacing, poor characterization, info dumps, failure to provide details where needed, and occasionally just having the characters do dumb things. I'm sure it was a story he told his grandkids that his wife made him write down. The whole scene with Rapunzel's tower was creepy and off-putting and made me think of that How I Met Your Mother episode where they discover Robin was a child star in a Canadian afterschool space show about math. If you've seen it, you have an idea how this American reacted to this probably-supposed-to-be-innocent chapter.
Anyway, I'm not planning to buy or read the last two books of the series. I've had enough of Anthropos.
I wonder if this was actually the first book written and the second book published. It has the earmarks of a first book - weird pacing, poor characterization, info dumps, failure to provide details where needed, and occasionally just having the characters do dumb things. I'm sure it was a story he told his grandkids that his wife made him write down. The whole scene with Rapunzel's tower was creepy and off-putting and made me think of that How I Met Your Mother episode where they discover Robin was a child star in a Canadian afterschool space show about math. If you've seen it, you have an idea how this American reacted to this probably-supposed-to-be-innocent chapter.
Anyway, I'm not planning to buy or read the last two books of the series. I've had enough of Anthropos.
August 23, 2023
my son could not put it down
March 4, 2016
John is back in Anthropos. Not that he intended to go back, but when his friend (under extreme emotional distress) suddenly disappears in the middle of a frozen lake, he's very sure that she's made it to the fantastical world and he decides to go and help her come back. Of course there's more at work than one mere plot, and the Changer has big plans for Eleanor and John while they are in Anthropos, as they are in a battle to choose what they believe.
This series is pleasantly reminiscent of Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia series, but has a healthy mashup of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and original ideas that keeps it from feeling like a rip off. For the most part, the characters are likable and relatable, though you aren't always thrilled with their choices. I would say the biggest obstacle is that the language is slightly dated (the series was originally published in the 1970's) and the "slang" the characters use may be confusing for current readers.
Content notes: No language issues in swearing or content, though the affect of words spoken in anger is explored. Slight sensuality in that John battles with adolescent issues of feeling attracted to an illusion and he doesn't understand why (I thought this was done quite well, as scripture is used to explain why he shouldn't pursue his feelings). Some sword and magic violence; characters die, a few on page and rather vividly, but not really detailed. John does kill some goblins, but other than slashing through them with the sword or beheading, not really detailed.
October 7, 2025
I love the Anthropos Chronicles bringing Christian truth in an exciting adventure for middle grade readers.
This one follows on from The Sword Bearer and takes John Wilson back to Anthropos following Eleanor who is fleeing from her abusive father. Together they traverse the country, facing many trials and ultimately overcoming the Lord Lunacy.
John White understands the fragility of human flesh that may want to do right but nevertheless messes up. Gaal deals with Eleanor and John with such grace in their weakness as Jesus does and never gives up on them.
The whole series is worth reading and I love re-visiting them from time to time.
I have just re-read this and enjoyed again John White's creativity, insights and understanding of the Christian faith brought to light through these books. He understands the frailty of humans and the grace of God that helps us in our weaknesses.
This one follows on from The Sword Bearer and takes John Wilson back to Anthropos following Eleanor who is fleeing from her abusive father. Together they traverse the country, facing many trials and ultimately overcoming the Lord Lunacy.
John White understands the fragility of human flesh that may want to do right but nevertheless messes up. Gaal deals with Eleanor and John with such grace in their weakness as Jesus does and never gives up on them.
The whole series is worth reading and I love re-visiting them from time to time.
I have just re-read this and enjoyed again John White's creativity, insights and understanding of the Christian faith brought to light through these books. He understands the frailty of humans and the grace of God that helps us in our weaknesses.
September 6, 2008
There were some good things in the book, but I really did not care for the rest of the series as much as the original book, The Sword Bearer. Yes, I understand John White was making parallels between Biblical truths and his novels, but it seems a bit overdone. I want to read a new story, not a redo of the perfect historical record of the Bible. Maybe this is great to promote the Bible - I am sure it is, for those who love fantasy. But I am just saying that repeating an event I already know all about seems a bit boring to me. On the positive, I do remember liking the character of the dragon, who really made the book a lot more fun.
June 18, 2009
This is another Christian Fantasy book. The second chronologically, and it takes more apparent spiritual overtones (i.e. there is a character who is obvious a Christ-like figure). However, the author does not stretch the story much to make it fit spiritual metaphors, which is very good.
October 30, 2008
Either they changed the order of these books or I just read them out of order. This one was the one I didn't like. It was the fourth one I read and it had the most Christian overtones.
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July 25, 2011Good action and adventure.
August 9, 2016
This series has many similarities to Narnia. Not quite as well written, but still very entertaining and very imaginitively magical.
August 21, 2016
I love this series and highly recommend it, especially to anyone who enjoyed the Chronicles of Narnia :)
June 17, 2016
This book meant a lot to me as a kid. I don't think it's as fantastic now, but it's hard to look at it even remotely objectively.
December 1, 2023
An excellent sequel.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews