Ever since a certain carpenter told people to stop chucking rocks at each other 2,000 odd years ago, the literary world was forever changed. The Bible has become one of the most influential works ever penned, serving as a font of inspiration for many a fantasy writer. But don’t worry, this isn’t going to be a list of faith-based fantasy, but rather fantasy works the reference (and often subvert) Christian themes in order to serve the plot. Here are the 10 best Christian fantasy books, ranked – some of which were boycotted by the church itself.

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Even a cursory read of the Bible is terrifying: lakes of fire, virgin devouring dragons, angelic abominations chock full of wings and eyes. Christopher Buehlman decided to capitalize on all of it in his post apocalyptic fantasy horror novel Between Two Fires. The state is set in Medieval Europe, which is ridden with violence, death, and plague – and that’s BEFORE the demons show up. After Book of Revelation style war breaks out in Heaven, a fallen from grace knight named Tomas takes up a quest to transport a little orphan girl to safety from the hordes of Hell. After all, she may be the last instrument of God’s grace, capable of cleansing the evil from the world and turning the tide of war in Heaven’s favor – Satan can’t have that now, can he?