Exodus is the first novel in the Old Testament series that starts off with 85 year old Caleb helping plan an attack against giants. As the men plan and strategize. Caleb's nephew asks him to tell of his past. He wants him to recount the Exodus and the early days as a mercenary for Pharah in Egypt; where he's asked to fight with Anakite giants in epic battles, showing readers how gritty, bloody, and intense it was.
The author says in his notes to readers shares that there is very little mentioned about Caleb in the bible. He says about this novel, "I have fictionalized those early years in the extreme. My purpose is not to invent an elaborate backstory because I felt the bible was insufficient; it is to create a way for the reader to encounter the events of exodus as the Egyptians themselves might have known them. I wanted to help the reader be there in the halls of the palace at Memphis when Moses and Aaron stood before the king, and also after they left. What terrors did the Egyptians under go as the Lord held out His arm? What would it be like to be in darkness so complete that you could feel it?"
The author did accomplish his mission. The tale is told in a series of flash backs to his youth as readers experience the event in real time in the past. The author shows Caleb leaving home and heading to Egypt. He's a gifted carpenter who knew how to fight. Early on he reveals these skills as groups attempt to rob him at the start of his journey. As he's setting in his new home in Egypt Caleb sees an injustice on the street and jumps in to help a woman survive; after her husbands beheaded. His employer sees Caleb take down the enemy. He says to him, "A man of skills is valuable to me...and being renown more so...if you can join the red scorpions it will be a mark that guarantees a river of gold for us. Your skills as an artist is already there. If you apply for the Chef designer position as a member of the Red Scorpions, it will be impossible for them to deny it to you, especially with my blessing..."..." I take risks. It is why I am a very wealthy man."
Caleb soon discovers he's in the fight of his life on many fronts' the stakes are high he's told, "Most who try out for the Red Scorpions die long before they make it in...There is a three year selection process..." The training master named Horem,...is the most ruthless goat you can imagine."
This story reminded me of the movie Gladiator with Russel Crow. It's brutal and agenizing with very violent fighting scenes. This author gives readers an up-close and personal look at these events. This is definitely a story told from a man's point of view. I liked that.
The author had me look at the Exodus event with fresh eyes; he's a gifted writer and makes the bible come alive. I'm a person that closes their eyes in violent scenes in movies it was kind of hard to do when I was reading the vivid, and challenging to read fighting scenes. I understand the bible is violent and those scenes need to be shown for us to grasp the signs and wonders of bible times. This would make a good book club pick. There is much to talk about. It's a story I won't soon forget!
Disclosure of Material Connection: #AD Sponsor
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"
Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
The author says in his notes to readers shares that there is very little mentioned about Caleb in the bible. He says about this novel, "I have fictionalized those early years in the extreme. My purpose is not to invent an elaborate backstory because I felt the bible was insufficient; it is to create a way for the reader to encounter the events of exodus as the Egyptians themselves might have known them. I wanted to help the reader be there in the halls of the palace at Memphis when Moses and Aaron stood before the king, and also after they left. What terrors did the Egyptians under go as the Lord held out His arm? What would it be like to be in darkness so complete that you could feel it?"
The author did accomplish his mission. The tale is told in a series of flash backs to his youth as readers experience the event in real time in the past. The author shows Caleb leaving home and heading to Egypt. He's a gifted carpenter who knew how to fight. Early on he reveals these skills as groups attempt to rob him at the start of his journey. As he's setting in his new home in Egypt Caleb sees an injustice on the street and jumps in to help a woman survive; after her husbands beheaded. His employer sees Caleb take down the enemy. He says to him, "A man of skills is valuable to me...and being renown more so...if you can join the red scorpions it will be a mark that guarantees a river of gold for us. Your skills as an artist is already there. If you apply for the Chef designer position as a member of the Red Scorpions, it will be impossible for them to deny it to you, especially with my blessing..."..." I take risks. It is why I am a very wealthy man."
Caleb soon discovers he's in the fight of his life on many fronts' the stakes are high he's told, "Most who try out for the Red Scorpions die long before they make it in...There is a three year selection process..." The training master named Horem,...is the most ruthless goat you can imagine."
This story reminded me of the movie Gladiator with Russel Crow. It's brutal and agenizing with very violent fighting scenes. This author gives readers an up-close and personal look at these events. This is definitely a story told from a man's point of view. I liked that.
The author had me look at the Exodus event with fresh eyes; he's a gifted writer and makes the bible come alive. I'm a person that closes their eyes in violent scenes in movies it was kind of hard to do when I was reading the vivid, and challenging to read fighting scenes. I understand the bible is violent and those scenes need to be shown for us to grasp the signs and wonders of bible times. This would make a good book club pick. There is much to talk about. It's a story I won't soon forget!
Disclosure of Material Connection: #AD Sponsor
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"
Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
Shadow of the Mountain: Exodus is a fictional portrayal of events in the life of Caleb, one of only two Israelites who left Egypt when over the age of 20 and actually entered the Promised Land after 40 years of wilderness wandering. In his "Note to the Reader", author Cliff Graham acknowledges that he has "taken a considerable amount of license" as well as having "taken the liberty of creating a backstory" for Caleb. (7) Mr. Graham also reminds the reader that his book "is a work of fiction. Please treat it as such." (8)
Caleb's story is primarily told through events he relates to Othniel, his nephew, who has finally gathered the courage to ask questions regarding the Exodus and other portions of Caleb's life. The book is well-written and action-packed. There are excellent, albeit occasionally graphic, descriptions. Although the book is a work of fiction, there are life lessons throughout. Caleb acknowledges the need for knowing how to fight various enemies, even when not currently at war with them. "But one day you may find yourself on the plains grappling with the Sea People, and if you do, you must know how to fight them, for they are chariot masters of the first order." (90) Caleb also believes "[a] man needs an allegiance. He must have a cause and an identity that lays claim over him and compels him to pick up a plow to cultivate it or a sword to defend it." (219) Caleb proved his bravery multiple times throughout the story yet acknowledges that "[a] man can be brave and accomplish much, but his fate is only ever in the hand of Yahweh." (236) There isn't much information in the Bible about Caleb, and although we may wish we had more details about events in the Bible, God only inspired a certain amount to be written. At one point in Shadow of the Mountain: Exodus, Caleb asks Othniel to read from scripture (a scroll) about the plagues because "I wish to hear it from the hand of Moses, for that is how Yahweh wanted it to be heard." (206)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although it is a work of fiction, there is also truth that can be gleaned from its pages. I would definitely recommend it to those readers who do not have a weak stomach when reading graphic descriptions of war battles. The entire story penned by Mr. Graham was believable and captivating.
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.
Caleb's story is primarily told through events he relates to Othniel, his nephew, who has finally gathered the courage to ask questions regarding the Exodus and other portions of Caleb's life. The book is well-written and action-packed. There are excellent, albeit occasionally graphic, descriptions. Although the book is a work of fiction, there are life lessons throughout. Caleb acknowledges the need for knowing how to fight various enemies, even when not currently at war with them. "But one day you may find yourself on the plains grappling with the Sea People, and if you do, you must know how to fight them, for they are chariot masters of the first order." (90) Caleb also believes "[a] man needs an allegiance. He must have a cause and an identity that lays claim over him and compels him to pick up a plow to cultivate it or a sword to defend it." (219) Caleb proved his bravery multiple times throughout the story yet acknowledges that "[a] man can be brave and accomplish much, but his fate is only ever in the hand of Yahweh." (236) There isn't much information in the Bible about Caleb, and although we may wish we had more details about events in the Bible, God only inspired a certain amount to be written. At one point in Shadow of the Mountain: Exodus, Caleb asks Othniel to read from scripture (a scroll) about the plagues because "I wish to hear it from the hand of Moses, for that is how Yahweh wanted it to be heard." (206)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although it is a work of fiction, there is also truth that can be gleaned from its pages. I would definitely recommend it to those readers who do not have a weak stomach when reading graphic descriptions of war battles. The entire story penned by Mr. Graham was believable and captivating.
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.
