Review of The Stylite

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Isaac Oh
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Review of The Stylite

Post by Isaac Oh »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Stylite" by Shane Hallawa.]
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5 out of 5 stars
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The Stylite by Shane Hallawa falls into the adult/young adult category with an action/adventure/fantasy genre. Teresa Amadei, dealing with the loss of her mother and unresolved family conflicts, undergoes a transformative journey guided by Father Simon. Her quest to reach the city of refuge, Alexantine, in the Midwest involves many challenges and battles. Accompanied by her cousin Matthew and the mysterious Saracen, Teresa faces both external and internal challenges. Will Teresa be able to conquer the external and internal challenges that befall her? Find out in "The Stylite" by Shane Hallawa.
 
The book skillfully portrays Teresa Amadei's transformative journey, effortlessly weaving together elements of martial arts and mysticism and incorporating concepts from Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Islam. While not intended for evangelization, proselytization, or conversion, it invites readers to immerse themselves in the characters and adventures as they unfold.
 
I appreciate the author's approach of first explaining the intricate themes and concepts associated with the book before delving into the story, especially considering that many terms may not be commonly known. Additionally, the inclusion of pictures throughout the book adds a visual element that enhances understanding, making it easier to connect with the times and surroundings of the stylites beyond the written descriptions.
 
I could barely find a thing to dislike about this book because of how detailed and well-explained it was, but I would have appreciated it more if the language of the Daemoklos were written expressly in English because I felt it made the book bulkier. However, I found no grammatical errors while reading through this book; hence, it was exceptionally edited.
 
I will rate this book 5 out of 5 stars because I like how detailed it is. The author did a great job explaining every detail, from the weapons to the armor to what each character represents in the book. Also, the story plot was very engaging to read.
 
I recommend "The Stylite" by Shane Hallawa to readers who enjoy adult or young adult fantasy novels with a blend of action and adventure. If you appreciate narratives that delve into complex characters, martial arts, and mystical elements, this book is an engaging choice. Fans of demon hunting and transformative journeys will find the storyline captivating.

******
The Stylite
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NetMassimo
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Post by NetMassimo »

This seems like an engaging fantasy novel that also dwelves into important issues that go far beyond adventure mixing it with introspective stuff. Thank you for your great review!
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Post by Christabel nmeso »

The depth of the story and the way it intertwines different cultural and religious elements is fascinating. It's great to hear that the author took the time to clarify complex themes, and the visual aids seem like a thoughtful touch.
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Post by Ringle Nashak »

It's great to hear that the author took the time to clarify complex themes, and the visual aids seem like a thoughtful touch.
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Post by Pranav Dewangan »

Thrilled to dive into "The Stylite" for its masterful blend of action, adventure, and fantasy, exploring deep themes across multiple religions with an engaging plot and rich, detailed storytelling.
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Post by Anil Baade »

Thank you for your valuable insights about this book. You've explained about the book very well. I'll definitely add this to my reading list.
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Post by Rohith Kumar Pakala »

Thank you for your valuable insights, your review built interest in me to read this book. Great information is given by you about the book, thank you for that.
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Post by Chi Chiu Michael Mak »

Isaac Oh wrote: 18 Feb 2024, 17:48 [Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Stylite" by Shane Hallawa.]
Book Cover
5 out of 5 stars
Share This Review


The Stylite by Shane Hallawa falls into the adult/young adult category with an action/adventure/fantasy genre. Teresa Amadei, dealing with the loss of her mother and unresolved family conflicts, undergoes a transformative journey guided by Father Simon. Her quest to reach the city of refuge, Alexantine, in the Midwest involves many challenges and battles. Accompanied by her cousin Matthew and the mysterious Saracen, Teresa faces both external and internal challenges. Will Teresa be able to conquer the external and internal challenges that befall her? Find out in "The Stylite" by Shane Hallawa.
 
The book skillfully portrays Teresa Amadei's transformative journey, effortlessly weaving together elements of martial arts and mysticism and incorporating concepts from Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Islam. While not intended for evangelization, proselytization, or conversion, it invites readers to immerse themselves in the characters and adventures as they unfold.
 
I appreciate the author's approach of first explaining the intricate themes and concepts associated with the book before delving into the story, especially considering that many terms may not be commonly known. Additionally, the inclusion of pictures throughout the book adds a visual element that enhances understanding, making it easier to connect with the times and surroundings of the stylites beyond the written descriptions.
 
I could barely find a thing to dislike about this book because of how detailed and well-explained it was, but I would have appreciated it more if the language of the Daemoklos were written expressly in English because I felt it made the book bulkier. However, I found no grammatical errors while reading through this book; hence, it was exceptionally edited.
 
I will rate this book 5 out of 5 stars because I like how detailed it is. The author did a great job explaining every detail, from the weapons to the armor to what each character represents in the book. Also, the story plot was very engaging to read.
 
I recommend "The Stylite" by Shane Hallawa to readers who enjoy adult or young adult fantasy novels with a blend of action and adventure. If you appreciate narratives that delve into complex characters, martial arts, and mystical elements, this book is an engaging choice. Fans of demon hunting and transformative journeys will find the storyline captivating.

******
The Stylite
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Really excited to learn more about the main character's journey in this action-adventure fantasy story. The themes also make it a good read.
I write the best reviews possible. :idea2:
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Post by Amy Luman »

Teresa is a girl facing many challenges.I’m glad that the author was able to clarify those important issues. Congratulations on BOTD!
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Post by Magdalyne chebet »

I'd really love to know more about Teresa Amadei transformative journey. The book invites readers to immerse themselves in the characters and adventures as they unfold, thank you for the informative review !
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Post by Isaac Ozo-okafor »

I'm a lover of adventure and the opportunity to go see the world beyond the horizon, and what the world around you is showing you.
Whenever I see a book like this, it triggers a feeling of excitement within me, that's happiness that is forged in an imaginary world.
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Post by abderrahman El achari »

The book "The Stylite" by Shane Hallawa, the story of Teresa Amadi, who took a trip with her cousin and knew how to face the challenges of this trip. Good review :techie-studyinggray:
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Post by Syed_Mohsin_Ali »

One of the most captivating and inspiring creations of Shane Hallawa, “The Stylite,” is a truly philosophical work that revolves around religious values and the principles of spirituality. It narrates the story of a young man, Theodosius, and his desire for stylitism, the religious practice involving living on a column, hoping to attain divine inspiration.An excerpt from Hallawa’s piece illustrates that the author is a very talented and expressive writer; through the use of seemingly plain and simple language, the reader can attest to the authenticity and vividness of the desert. There are many developed and highly distinctive characters, and Theodosius’s battles and conflicts are credible, which makes him unexceptional and credible.It is significant how the novel deals with faith, optimism, doubts, and questioning in a manner that addresses them on an individual and existential level. This is a thrilling and well-thought-provoking book, made much more so by the eloquent, poetic, and yet very clear writing style of Hallawa.It is true that there are some moments when the pace of the events may seem rather slow, but by far, all the details and emotions within the story would totally justify the overall picture. In conclusion, it can be stated that “The Stylite” is a Gothic novel that leaves rather eerie and artistic impressions with the readers when the book is closed.

Rating: 4. I wish I had the opportunity to share my experiences and passion with more people, so 5 out of 5 stars.Note: I have a minor critique though: I felt it could use a little bit of tweaking with the pacing, which is probably the reason why I gave it half a star; however, on all the other aspects, it shines in its genre.
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Post by Rebecca De Figueiredo »

I like the way the book has a glossary at the beginning, which shows that it has been well planned, which seems a necessity as I begin reading. Not usually my type of genre but i know many will enjoy it. Good review, thank you.
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Post by Rukayat Zakariyah »

The way the author weaves together martial arts, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Islam and more into her journey alongside companions like her cousin Matthew and the enigmatic Saracen sounds incredible.
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