Thursday, February 9, 2012
I'm moving!
Hello, friends. I've just launched a new website, expanding on what I've been doing here. In addition to reviews, the new site features a bookstore and a quotes section. In order to consolidate and streamline, I'll be publishing all my future book reviews there (as well as integrating the ones already posted here - nothing will be lost). Please come along and join me at www.booksbybecka.com.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Book Review: Secret Sacrament by Sherryl Jordan
I’ve been frustrated for a long time by my inability to write a review of a particular book. I just can’t seem to pull all the threads together to weave a cohesive but concise summary. I even took the time to reread the entire 338 pages recently, hoping to find the elusive strand that would tie everything in neatly. It didn’t happen; in fact, I realized that the story is even more complex than I had seen previously. Some stories simply defy being synopsized. So, I’m just going to share a few notes about this book – Secret Sacrament by Sherryl Jordan.
The story takes place in Navora, a Roman-ish empire near the sea, and in the neighboring tribal lands. Gabriel, the son of a wealthy and respected Navoran family, discovers through a chance encounter that he has a mystical bond with the Shinali people whose lands border his city. Throughout his childhood and into young adulthood, this bond grows and strengthens him in his dedication to becoming a healer. The connection finally becomes tangible through another chance encounter with one of the Shinali, a young woman named Ashila.
While Gabriel is clearly the main protagonist, there are several other very strong characters – his brother Myron, his mother, his teachers , Ashila, and Tarkwaan the rising chieftain of the Shinali tribe.
Throughout the story, God is consistently presented as the source of all true understanding and strength, and especially of the remarkable skill of the healers. Conversely, supernatural evil is shown to be the power corrupting the empire from within.
As I noted earlier, I find it impossible to minimize the plot into a meaningful abstract. However, the spirit of the book is captured well in this prayer, which Gabriel prays at times of momentous decision:
Sovereign Lord, give me wisdom to know your dream for me. Give me courage to live that dream. Give me strength to fulfill the task before me, knowing it was designed for me alone. Give me peace in the knowledge that I have been given everything I need. So that what I do has value in your sight, give me love.
The story takes place in Navora, a Roman-ish empire near the sea, and in the neighboring tribal lands. Gabriel, the son of a wealthy and respected Navoran family, discovers through a chance encounter that he has a mystical bond with the Shinali people whose lands border his city. Throughout his childhood and into young adulthood, this bond grows and strengthens him in his dedication to becoming a healer. The connection finally becomes tangible through another chance encounter with one of the Shinali, a young woman named Ashila.
While Gabriel is clearly the main protagonist, there are several other very strong characters – his brother Myron, his mother, his teachers , Ashila, and Tarkwaan the rising chieftain of the Shinali tribe.
Throughout the story, God is consistently presented as the source of all true understanding and strength, and especially of the remarkable skill of the healers. Conversely, supernatural evil is shown to be the power corrupting the empire from within.
As I noted earlier, I find it impossible to minimize the plot into a meaningful abstract. However, the spirit of the book is captured well in this prayer, which Gabriel prays at times of momentous decision:
Sovereign Lord, give me wisdom to know your dream for me. Give me courage to live that dream. Give me strength to fulfill the task before me, knowing it was designed for me alone. Give me peace in the knowledge that I have been given everything I need. So that what I do has value in your sight, give me love.
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