Review of Cross Intents
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Creole
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Review of Cross Intents
[Following is a volunteer review of "Cross Intents" by Scott Wells.]
The thunder of horse hooves, combined with the agonized cries of inconsolable mothers, ripped through Bethlehem as crazed soldiers initiated the gruesome mandate of Herod the Great, possessed by Molech, the great demon commander. Every male child two years and younger must be slaughtered. The King would be about the same age. No one would wrest his throne from him, not even his children, two of whom he had just killed. As Herod's paranoia spiralled out of control, fueled by Molech, the King's warriors knew they had to work doubly hard to secure him.
In Cross Intents: The Baptism, the second in the trilogy by S. R. Wells, readers are immersed in a poignant narrative bound to make many teary-eyed like I was. The plot is suspenseful, as characters go through many conflicts and obstacles. It chronicles the growth of the King up to His baptism by the prophet John. As He grows, so do the attempts on His life. His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, are unaware of the danger surrounding them by the second, as demons, particularly Luchek and Tumur, stalk them in the Physical Realm, and millions more darken the Middle Realm, waiting for a chance to attack. After a failed assassination attempt on Jesus by one of Luchek's team and the incursion by Herod's army, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus flee for their lives to Egypt, ironically, where the largest contingent of adversaries is amassed. The angelic team led by Captain Elric will undoubtedly be in an all-out fight for their lives. But the King must be protected. His Messianic campaign is not yet.
Messages from the Throne are scanty and shrouded in mystery, and the angelic team is anxious as they battle against the odds. The chaotic political landscape in the Physical Realm, incited by beaelzur commanders Molech, Asherah, and Yarikh, embroiled in their power struggle, is not helping the situation. This strife is causing unrest and making it difficult for the angelic squad to protect Jesus, the men who would later become His disciples and, more importantly, John, His forerunner.
Like Jesus, John's character undergoes a significant transformation in this volume. My empathy for John deepened when he lost his parents and was forced to flee to the wilderness. Bound by his Nazarite vows, which included abstaining from alcohol and refraining from cutting his hair, he was unable to handle the dead. The scene was deeply emotional and thought-provoking. The novel is filled with emotionally charged moments, each revolving around the lives and deaths of beloved characters. This emotional intensity, subtly conveyed through evocative language, was a new and influential element in the narrative. These events raised numerous unanswered questions. Why did John endure so many heart-wrenching struggles to pave the way for Jesus? Couldn't it have been easier? Even the demon Luchek had to admit, "It's all part of His plan."
The story, primarily narrated from the angels' perspective, is thrilling and captivating. However, there are moments when the dialogue drags, leading to pacing issues that I found less enjoyable. More action during dialogue and additional sensory details could further engage readers. Despite these minor drawbacks, the narrative's cathartic nature, mystery, and suspense will mesmerize you. You'll find it hard to put the book down. I, therefore, give the book five out of five stars.
Moreover, the book is well-edited, and the author has crafted an eventful narrative that can be enjoyed as a standalone. I recommend Cross Intents: The Baptism to all fans of supernatural fiction, regardless of their religious beliefs. While it may not appeal to those who are not Christocentric, its engaging plot and diverse characters, such as the magi and Daniel, will draw in any reader. I eagerly await the final instalment.
******
Cross Intents
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The thunder of horse hooves, combined with the agonized cries of inconsolable mothers, ripped through Bethlehem as crazed soldiers initiated the gruesome mandate of Herod the Great, possessed by Molech, the great demon commander. Every male child two years and younger must be slaughtered. The King would be about the same age. No one would wrest his throne from him, not even his children, two of whom he had just killed. As Herod's paranoia spiralled out of control, fueled by Molech, the King's warriors knew they had to work doubly hard to secure him.
In Cross Intents: The Baptism, the second in the trilogy by S. R. Wells, readers are immersed in a poignant narrative bound to make many teary-eyed like I was. The plot is suspenseful, as characters go through many conflicts and obstacles. It chronicles the growth of the King up to His baptism by the prophet John. As He grows, so do the attempts on His life. His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, are unaware of the danger surrounding them by the second, as demons, particularly Luchek and Tumur, stalk them in the Physical Realm, and millions more darken the Middle Realm, waiting for a chance to attack. After a failed assassination attempt on Jesus by one of Luchek's team and the incursion by Herod's army, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus flee for their lives to Egypt, ironically, where the largest contingent of adversaries is amassed. The angelic team led by Captain Elric will undoubtedly be in an all-out fight for their lives. But the King must be protected. His Messianic campaign is not yet.
Messages from the Throne are scanty and shrouded in mystery, and the angelic team is anxious as they battle against the odds. The chaotic political landscape in the Physical Realm, incited by beaelzur commanders Molech, Asherah, and Yarikh, embroiled in their power struggle, is not helping the situation. This strife is causing unrest and making it difficult for the angelic squad to protect Jesus, the men who would later become His disciples and, more importantly, John, His forerunner.
Like Jesus, John's character undergoes a significant transformation in this volume. My empathy for John deepened when he lost his parents and was forced to flee to the wilderness. Bound by his Nazarite vows, which included abstaining from alcohol and refraining from cutting his hair, he was unable to handle the dead. The scene was deeply emotional and thought-provoking. The novel is filled with emotionally charged moments, each revolving around the lives and deaths of beloved characters. This emotional intensity, subtly conveyed through evocative language, was a new and influential element in the narrative. These events raised numerous unanswered questions. Why did John endure so many heart-wrenching struggles to pave the way for Jesus? Couldn't it have been easier? Even the demon Luchek had to admit, "It's all part of His plan."
The story, primarily narrated from the angels' perspective, is thrilling and captivating. However, there are moments when the dialogue drags, leading to pacing issues that I found less enjoyable. More action during dialogue and additional sensory details could further engage readers. Despite these minor drawbacks, the narrative's cathartic nature, mystery, and suspense will mesmerize you. You'll find it hard to put the book down. I, therefore, give the book five out of five stars.
Moreover, the book is well-edited, and the author has crafted an eventful narrative that can be enjoyed as a standalone. I recommend Cross Intents: The Baptism to all fans of supernatural fiction, regardless of their religious beliefs. While it may not appeal to those who are not Christocentric, its engaging plot and diverse characters, such as the magi and Daniel, will draw in any reader. I eagerly await the final instalment.
******
Cross Intents
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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Gerry Steen
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I am looking forward to learning more about the dangers that Jesus faced as a child, and the trials and tribulations of John. i look forward experiencing the battles of the angels with the demons. Thanks again for another great review of this trilogy of stories.
Latest Review: The Seer's Curse by A.K. Nikole
