I was recently invited to be a part of the "launch team" for the newest release from Dr. Taylor Marshall. As I've read and enjoyed his non-fiction in the past, I was particularly interested in seeing what he'd do in fiction. I must say he stepped up and produced a real "barn burner" of a tale, one which I unhesitatingly recommend to all my readers. Below you'll find a link and a fuller review. Consider picking a copy up for yourself as an early Christmas present (don't forget to use my link to help support the blog!)
Sword and Serpent is a gripping tale that will keep you wanting to turn that page and see what happens next! The story is set during the dark days of the Great Persecution of Christians by the Emperor Diocletian, which provides the catalyst that launches us into the story of our hero Jurian (St. George). We get to traverse the Mediterranean world with our hero (and meet a few other saints along the way) experiencing the hard realities of life when being Christian itself was a crime.
While this main story is interesting enough to recommend the book, the intertwining tale of a priestess of Moloch (whose life solely consists of preparing young children to be sacrificed to their demonic god) might even be said to almost eclipse the tale of Jurian. Watching the priestess (Sabra) struggle with her devotion to a monster who she is convinced is a god and more, seeing her willingly taking on a Christlike love that leads her to be willing to lay down her life for the salvation of those she loves (something Jurian can never quite seem to do himself) makes her one of the more memorable characters I've come across in this genre of fiction.
The story will particularly appeal to Catholics and other Christians with an interest in action and in the early centuries of our faith, but should also be appreciated by anyone who enjoys a good adventure story with elements of the fantastic. I found myself unable to put the book down to go to sleep, making it both an enjoyable and a quick read.
I highly recommend Marshall's Sword and Serpent to anyone looking for a great story coming from a different point-of-view than most adventure/fantasy stories. Well worth the price - check it out, you will not be disappointed!
While this main story is interesting enough to recommend the book, the intertwining tale of a priestess of Moloch (whose life solely consists of preparing young children to be sacrificed to their demonic god) might even be said to almost eclipse the tale of Jurian. Watching the priestess (Sabra) struggle with her devotion to a monster who she is convinced is a god and more, seeing her willingly taking on a Christlike love that leads her to be willing to lay down her life for the salvation of those she loves (something Jurian can never quite seem to do himself) makes her one of the more memorable characters I've come across in this genre of fiction.
The story will particularly appeal to Catholics and other Christians with an interest in action and in the early centuries of our faith, but should also be appreciated by anyone who enjoys a good adventure story with elements of the fantastic. I found myself unable to put the book down to go to sleep, making it both an enjoyable and a quick read.
I highly recommend Marshall's Sword and Serpent to anyone looking for a great story coming from a different point-of-view than most adventure/fantasy stories. Well worth the price - check it out, you will not be disappointed!
No comments:
Post a Comment