Review of The Stylite

[Salome Ogani]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Stylite" by Shane Hallawa.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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The Stylite by Shane Hallawa is set against the backdrop of the Byzantine Empire and the Mediterranean world of the 7th century, but it takes place in a modern context. Teresa, a young woman in her mid-twenties of European descent, tragically lost her mother at a young age. Her parents' divorce stemmed from their differing beliefs; her father, a devout Christian, followed God's teachings and was killed while coming to the aid of a stranger, while her mother rejected such beliefs and disapproved of Teresa following her father's path. Even after her mother's passing, Teresa continues to be haunted by the disapproving voice, leaving her conflicted about her own beliefs and questioning whether she was wrong to align with her father's faith.

Teresa headed to stay with her aunt Bridget and uncle Jesse, who had generously offered to support her. Under the guidance of Father Simon, an experienced desert monk, she would undertake strict training to master the art of fire and follow in the footsteps of her cousin, Matthew, who had also been mentored by Father Simon. Once her training was complete, Teresa was to set out on a journey to the City of Alexantine, a quest for self-discovery and the pursuit of truth. Along the way, she would face the menacing Daemoklos, whose powers were contained by the protective Grimoire as long as the world remained undisturbed. As she encountered challenges, these questions came to mind: What would become of her journey? Would she uncover the answers she seeks?

I loved what the author did with the character development and the plot. I always assumed that daughters tend to be more attached to their mothers and listen to them more than they do to their fathers. However, Teresa proved me wrong. I also loved how well Matthew's character was developed. I was completely gripped by this book; it felt like the author was painting clear images in my head that played out like a movie. I'm definitely eager to get my hands on more books by Shane Hallawa!

I love how the author looked into the human struggle between light and darkness, depicting our inclination toward darkness as the easiest path. The book reflects Christian themes. However, the author has explicitly stated that the book is not intended to be a work of Christian literature aimed at persuading the reader to adopt a particular religious belief. Hence, it is suitable for everyone, irrespective of their religion.

I recommend this book to individuals who appreciate literature within the fantasy, action, and adventure genres. The book effectively depicts not only the challenges faced by the characters but also themes of resilience and optimism. Honestly, The Stylite by Shane Hallawa deserves a perfect rating because I disliked nothing about it, but I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars because I encountered a lot of errors while reading it.

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The Stylite
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[NetMassimo]

Some classic tropes of the fantasy genre set in a historical period are used to develop this novel, which seems engaging, so I hope the author does proper proofreading to prevent distractions while reading it. Thank you for your great review!

[Emmanuel Chima 3]

*The Stylite* by Shane Hallawa intertwines a modern narrative with a historical Byzantine backdrop, exploring themes of faith and self-discovery. The character development is strong, particularly with Teresa and Matthew, and the book’s vivid descriptions create an immersive experience. While the Christian themes are present, they’re not prescriptive, making the book accessible to a wide audience. Despite some editing errors, the engaging plot and thoughtful exploration of light versus darkness make it a worthwhile read.

[Alarict surt]

Teresa attempts to find her own path, possibly questioning traditional teachings and seeking answers that resonate with her personal experience. His search for identity and faith could be the driving force behind his development throughout history.