Review of Cross Intents

[Vicki Cerniglia]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Cross Intents" by Scott Wells.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Cross Intents The Baptism by Scott Wells is a fictional novel about the time of the birth of Christ the King through His baptism at age thirty from the unique perspective of angels and demons. Scott Wells demonstrates extraordinary creativity in this genuinely inspired narrative.

The story opens with a look into King Herod’s private chambers, where he is pacing restlessly, flailing his arms, and talking wildly to himself. The two guards stationed outside his door are thoroughly convinced that the king is completely mad, but could there be something deeper torturing him? The story also introduces the Magi, the three wise men from the east. They have observed a sign in the heavens—a conjunction of planets. In their culture, it means the birth of a king, and not just any king, but the King of kings. Will they move beyond their intellect and scholarly knowledge and venture out in faith to find Him?

Two years ago, Elric, an unassuming captain in the King's angelic host, was sent on a mission to prepare for and assist with the birth of Christ. He was also tasked with concealing Jesus' birth from the evil hordes scouring the earth to destroy him. Now that the baby has been born, Elric must continue to conceal and protect him, Joseph, Mary, and their growing family. He dispatched part of his team to protect John, the child destined to become the prophet who would precede Jesus and prepare the way for him to reveal himself as the Son of God. Would this mission overwhelm Elric and his team?

I laughed out loud, and I was moved to tears. I caught myself holding my breath as I nervously turned the pages to find out what would happen next for the characters. I celebrated with them in their victories, and I was terrified for them during the attacks. With my heart racing, I fought alongside them against both physical and spiritual forces.

The characters are brilliant and richly developed. The reader gets to know them, feels their emotions, and shares their struggles. Scott Wells is a genius at wordcraft. He creates imagery that is spectacular. He captivates the reader from the beginning and never releases his hold. The detailed accounts of the battles are enthralling, and the battles themselves are heart-wrenching. Although this is a fictional story, the author stays remarkably faithful to the biblical account of Jesus’ birth and his journey to adulthood.

There is nothing I disliked about this novel. This is the second book in this trilogy, and I am eager to read the final one. Whether a reader knows the story of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus or not, this book will likely appeal to them. It is probably better suited to a Christian reader, but I would recommend it to any adult or young adult reader who enjoys a thrilling adventure with a supernatural element. It may be too intense for children. The errors are negligible, which indicates the book was professionally edited. I earnestly rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

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Cross Intents
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[Elavarasi Charles]

II have read the Holy Story many times from different perspectives. But as a full-fledged adventurous novel? This genuinely captures my attention. Your enthusiastic appreciation tells how immersive this book is and how well you enjoyed this fiction. And I think I would enjoy it too. You have written a great review!