Unholy Grail - The Story of Judas Iscariot and Mary Magdalene

by Richard B. Sorensen, Laura K. Sorensen (Illustrator)

Unholy Grail connects all the dots.

Beginning with the stories of Judas Iscariot and Mary Magdalene, the Unholy Grail story culminates in their contemporary heir, who becomes the Anti-Christ of the Apocalypse.

The plan for the end of days is crystallized in the life of Judas Iscariot; his identity as the "son of perdition" and the true motives for his betrayal of Christ are fully revealed. Two of the individuals closest to Jesus are then used to establish a satanically-inspired bloodline starting with the Merovingian Kings of France, continuing down through the ages, and culminating in a couterfeit Messiah.

Book One, the current volume of this two-book series, follows Judas from his ancestry, through his life and brief relationship with Mary Magdalene, to his ultimate demise. In Book Two, the modern-day descendent of Judas and Mary rises from obsurity to become the most powerful man in world politics.

Unholy Grail thus unites all of history, from Biblical times to the present day.

282 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2007

About the author

Rich Sorensen was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, grew up in the midwest, and then moved east to Rhode Island after college, where he and his wife and family of five children still reside.

He is an author, software engineer, children's storyteller, and amateur historian with life-long passions for history, politics, and Christianity - especially for going deep into these subjects and exploring the roots of how things really work.

The ideas for his "Unholy Grail" novel series came to him in the late 1990's in response to reading "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" the same book that inspired Dan Brown's "DaVinci Code." The novel series were researched and written over the next ten years.

Reviews

[P]

I won this on Goodreads but didn't receive it until a year later, after the author personally contacted me and asked if I was still interested in reviewing it. I find Biblical fiction interesting, so naturally I said yes. Unfortunately, school had started by the time I got the book, and this year I was extremely bogged down with grading for some reason, so the reading took me waaaaay longer than it should have. The premise is fascinating and the characters of Judas Iscariot and Mary Magdalene are very well developed. The author did extensive research for the writing, so the reasons these two became the people they did seem very plausible. Judas is as vile and unsympathetic as one would expect and Mary is faithful and admirable. The writing is simplistic in spots and, in a few places, the language struck me as not authentic, but the plot was compelling enough for me to overlook those weaknesses. I have to say the second book sounds scary; the idea of a modern Anti-Christ is unsettling to me, but I would be interested to see how the story progresses.

[Darlene Ferland]

I was asked to revue this book by the author and, since we both live in the same state, he kindly delivered Unholy Grail to my door. Thank you Mr. Sorenson! This historical novel allows readers to enter the world of Jesus's time of ministry and treats us to excerpts straight from the Bible. Mr. Sorenson centers on Mary of Magdala and Simon Iscariot. The text is rich with vivid desriptions that really bring his words to life. As we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, the book progresses with the reasons why Mary and Judas became the persons they were. The struggle between God and Satan is also a strong thread marking each chapter with new insights into Christian heritage. This first in a series ends with the culmination of the birth of the Anti-Christ. Mr. Sorenson leaves his readers waiting anxiously for the next book.

[Faye]

If you devoured The DaVinci Code, you're going to love Unholy Grail by Richard B. Sorensen. Unholy Grail explores the relationship between Mary Magdalene and Judas Iscariot which leads to the conception of the AntiChrist. Backed by extensive research by the author, the book builds a convincing psychological profile of Judas that explains his motives for betraying Jesus.

I read this book in two days - I was that engrossed. The story flows effortlessly and draws you in and before you know it, you're done and wishing book two was waiting for you. Book two promises to conclude the story by discussing the birth and rise to power of the AntiChrist.

It's a great seasonal read and if you're a religion or history buff, it's a must-read.

[Kristen]

I'm simply writing a review here because I signed on to review this book, which I won through the Goodreads First Reads program, but I never received it. I feel a little churlish giving it just one star, but I gotta admit I didn't like not getting this book.

It looked like an interesting story, and again, I feel bad just giving it one star. I wonder if the author "got out over his skis," as my husband likes to say, and promised to send it to a bunch of reviewers, and then something happened where he couldn't do it. Or perhaps his publisher promised the books, and went bankrupt. Something sad, and now my one star makes it worse.

I hope that's not the case.

[Michelle]

*update 3/12
Thanks to Mr. Sorensen who personally mailed me a copy of his book, I have finally finished it after a long hiatus. Thoroughly enjoyable book, and well written. I look forward to the sequel.

[Hazi]

Good, solid storytelling. Sorensen takes the stories of Judas and Mary Magdalene to a different level. The author is also kind enough to add footnotes and additional material to give us a more in depth understanding of the characters.

[Shannon Dykes]

I have STILL NOT recived this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nicki]

I won this through Goodreads First Reads Program, but I never received it. :(

[Roxy]

Never received giveaway, Marking as read.

[Kasia Hubbard]

I won this on Goodreads.

[Zachary]

I won this book a long time ago but never have received it. So, i can not make a more indeph comment on it.

[Melisende]

An alternate "history' for those who have followed the "Da Vinci Code" and "Holy Blood, Holy Grail". Looking forward to Book 2.