Review of The Stylite

[Kajori Sheryl Paul]

[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 is an action-packed fantasy novel that is bound to keep you hooked till the end.

The book is set in a world where human greed has released the Daemoklos, a breed of demons that prey on people's thoughts and emotions. Everything is on the verge of collapse. In such a situation, Alexantine, a burgeoning city, becomes the symbol of hope. Teresa is a young woman who is left adrift after the sudden death of her mother, Juliana. Juliana's voice keeps haunting her even after her death. After witnessing Teresa's listlessness, her aunt and uncle send her to the desert to Father Simon. Teresa learns the way of the fire from the Byzantine monk. She dons the mantle of a stylite and decides to go to Alexantine. Her cousin, Matthew, has already been trained as a stylite and sent to Alexantine. Along the way, Teresa comes face-to-face with various Daemoklos. She also confronts her own internal demons. From time to time, she is joined by Matthew and the Saracen, a mysterious warrior, as she battles her foes.

Will Teresa be able to reach Alexantine? Will she, along with Mathew and the Saracen, be able to defeat the demons? Most importantly, will the stylites be able to guide mankind in the path of light and redemption?

To find out, read Shane Hallawa’s The Stylite.

Shane Hallawa’s The Stylite is an epic novel with a lot of life lessons. Hallawa is a master world builder. The author crafts a setting that is not only fantastical but also believable. I loved how Hallawa incorporates elements from the erstwhile Byzantine Empire and the Roman Empire. Hallawa leaves nothing to the imagination. The author thoughtfully provides us with detailed descriptions as well as diagrams of the stylites’ gear and costumes. Hallawa includes real photos that go well with the plot. I also like how a special script for the Daemoklos language is created. All this teleports us to Hallawa’s world and makes us live the story, just like the characters.

Speaking of the characters, they are all well-developed. Even the Daemoklos are dynamic characters with their own motivations. Stymfála, Kerýneia, and Órthos left a special impact on me. I have to say that the Daemoklos god-king, Anax Varazhah, is masterfully crafted. Teresa and Matthew are relatable protagonists, and I can't wait to get in their shoes again. As for the Saracen, I am eager to know more about him. Father Simon and Sister Agnes are admirable role models. I have to mention Alice. Teresa's encounter with her left a deep impression on me.

Overall, I really enjoyed Shane Hallawa’s The Stylite. I did not find anything worth criticizing, and I am eager to read the next book in the series. I happily rate this amazing book 5 out of 5 stars.

I highly recommend Shane Hallawa’s The Stylite to fans of epic fantasy novels. Readers who like action-packed books that teach us valuable lessons will love this as well.

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The Stylite
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[Kibet Hillary]

I am happy that the book incorporates elements from both the Byzantine and Roman empires, as I am an ardent reader of any captivating historical fiction. It appears Teresa has a lot of battles before she reaches Alexantine. I cannot wait to see what the cost of redeeming humankind is and how the demons will be defeated. Thanks for the review, @Kajori Sheryl Paul.