Book Blurb:
Akilah, a highly respected priest-scholar in Magi society, considers all his astronomy discoveries well-deserved stepping-stones to a more fulfilling life. But the appearance of a new star challenges his priorities. As Persia totters on the brink of an undesirable king coming to power, Akilah declines a position that could turn that tide. Instead, he studies a star that doesn’t appear in any almanac or religious writings. Except Jewish.
When he and his colleagues uncover a few Jewish prophecies linking the star to an eternal king, Akilah becomes the target of Persia’s religious and governmental conflicts. Jailed for crimes he didn’t commit, Akilah must rely on questionable resources to free himself and reach Jerusalem.
Persia’s purists aren’t the only ones bent on keeping their country free of Jewish influences. As dangers at home and abroad plunge Akilah and his colleagues into three countries’ religious conflicts and circumstances beyond their imagining, Akilah realizes his knowledge of Jesus could potentially destroy Magi society and its power over Persia’s official religion and government. Untrusting of his Council, a thousand miles from aid, and bound in a potentially career-ending contract, Akilah must decide how far he will go to protect what he knows of Jesus—and whether the cost of his belief is worth the risk.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/MMPB9D
Author Bio:
Lana Christian is an award-winning author in business and creative writing. In business, she garnered several APEX awards, a patent, a published book, and millions of dollars in grant money for clients. Years of writing manuscripts for physicians and researchers have made her an ace at research, which she leverages in writing biblical fiction. "New Star" is her debut biblical fiction novel and is the first in a series. Lana is an invited guest blogger and writes her own biweekly devotional blog, “Encouragement from Living History.” Since 2019, she has won six faith-based writing awards, including one from Baker Publishing Group for her short story about Lot. Her greatest desire is that readers have an immersive experience from her stories.
Editorial Review:
“New Star” (Book One of The Magi’s Encounters)
Author: Lana Christian
“Murmurs rippled through the Magi crowding the boundary of the Gathering Circle. Sassanak’s glare swept across the gathering, silencing all watchers. They shuffled uneasily in place. The brief movement roused the metallic threads in their robes to send shimmers of reflected lamplight around the Circle. Why couldn’t Akilah’s reasoning behind his research shine so readily? Pain crept through Akilah’s left hip, reminding him how long he had been standing before the Council. Fallout from his childhood injury resurfaced at the most inconvenient times. But he remained motionless, erect and alone in the center of the Circle.”
Akilah is a man with a purpose. His religious teachings underpin all of his actions and his decisions; his love for astronomy is a close second. But the advent of a new star creates questions in his mind that he is compelled to answer, and the contemplation of this new arrival challenges everything he thought he knew. And this is not a convenient time to have questions of personal faith; for there are enough empires and kingdoms with ample problems to keep an entire populace busy. Upheaval and change is everywhere around him; regardless, Akilah knows where his duty lies.
It is that duty which is explored in “New Star”, Biblical historical fiction by Lana Christian. The tension between personal belief and faith on the one hand, and navigating a difficult political and cultural environment on the other, is one that endures through time. Christian’s effortless characterization, and the inclusion of small details that flesh out each person she writes about, makes it easy for the reader to relate to this essential question, and what must be weighed up to solve it.
The historical maps within the book further set the scene, hinting at the absorbing reading voyage this will become. Even seeing “Persia” on a map creates an instant mental picture of ancient, mysterious times when religions were formed and fought over, and when civilization was different and new. These secret, ancient communities now only live within the pages of books and hazy primal knowledge, but they were magnificent, and Christian’s writing brings them to life.
““We’ll stay here at the Jordan for second meal,” Akilah announced to the caravan. As the throng of servants scattered to their evening duties, Rashidi, his face etched in granite, headed toward Kassim. Akilah moved with speed to divert his colleague. Pressing his hand into Rashidi’s back, he said, “Leave him, my friend. He conducted himself well.”
“He disobeyed me.”
“To serve a greater good.”
“Should I allow my servant to defy me? That’s a short journey to chaos.”
“Or a short walk to greater trust and mutual respect.”
“They’re servants. Obeying without question is what they do. And you—you broke Magi protocol in—” Rashidi stopped, abashed. “Thank you for helping save my servant.”
Those, who like this reviewer, revel in returning to these times, will pick out each reference, to parchment, to lamps, to spices and coins that are not mere pocket change forgotten down the back of the sofa, but instead represent significant value. And, of course, the overarching relevance of faith, faith that tests Akilah and his compatriots. Yes, a review should likely list the names of secondary characters, and speak of some kind of relationship between them. That does exist in “New Star”, obviously, there are well-written characters and even better conversations. But the central tenant of a book like this must always be the discovery and test of personal faith, and that is properly the focus of “New Star” also. However the challenges are not only internal. The times dictate that there are also battles, and edge of the seat action, and sweeping quests and journeys.
This is Book One; although there is resolution at the end of “New Star” it is more of a pause in the narrative than a definitive ending. Some readers may prefer the latter.
“Two hours after the servants retired, the Magi returned to the cave-stable. Its stone mass mirrored the weight in Akilah’s chest. As leader of this venture and supposedly the wisest of his team members, he should have been able to justify what he sensed. But he couldn’t. Maybe Tallis and Rashidi could confirm his concerns. “Are we certain we’re alone?”
“I think so,” Tallis said. “Just us and the camels. And they’re not talking.”
Akilah ignored the joke. “Gentlemen, what do we really know about the Nabataeans other than they’re here in the middle of this desert?”
Rashidi pulled two coins from his pocket. “They have their own money system.””
“New Star” (Book One of The Magi’s Encounters) by Lana Christian is an immersive return to ancient Persia and neighbouring lands, as Akilah interprets the new star and what it means for his personal faith and wider beliefs. The historical detail in the book adds to the significant religious focus of the plot. Be prepared for an absorbing reading journey that will both inform and test the reader, mirroring Akilah’s own character arc.
*****
“New Star” (Book One of The Magi’s Encounters) by Lana Christian receives 4 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
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