If you like action-packed historical fiction then you will love Sean Young's thrilling portrayal of a people's struggle for redemption.
For generations, the copper scroll has remained buried, concealing the treasure it protects and the prophecy it contains. Now that secret is about to be unleashed. In the right hands, the scroll could bring about Israel's freedom from Roman occupation, but used improperly, it could destroy her.
Barabbas, a warrior zealot and sworn protector of the scroll, has vowed to overthrow his Roman oppressors. He has raged against an empire and lashed out at its military might. But his greatest enemy remains the pain within.
His quest for vengeance and Roman blood, his love for a peace loving woman, and his commitment to the mysterious scroll pull him in vastly different directions.Death and betrayal loom around every corner as Barabbas searches for a truth that he has yet to fully understand-the force that drives him forward and ultimately requests the ultimate sacrifice to be made by a man.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Sean Young blends his life-long love of novels with a strong Christian world-view to produce gripping thrillers anchored in a Biblical core. A thirst for adventure, and deep personal faith create his unique brand of action-packed page turners that make the reader's pulse race, while quietly shining the good news of the gospel and remaining free of profanity and offensive sexual scenes that have become so prevalent in modern fiction.
His first novel was a seven hundred page Historical Suspense Thriller that took three years to write. This was first published first in the USA, and then in Europe where it was translated into Spanish.
Sean lives with his wife and two children in Surrey, England.
Forged in Rage by Sean Young is my penultimate book in my alphabet challenge I set myself. I chose it because the title and book cover looked interesting; I hadn't realised that is was historical fiction.
As a Christian, the name Barabbas is well known as the murderer who was released instead of Jesus at the crucifixion. This novel is an interesting take on who Barabbas was, what he stood for, how he earned the reputation of being a murderer, and the suffering he endured. Whilst being set in the time period 29-33AD, it is not centred around Jesus at all, but Barabbas and the search for the copper scroll.
This book is full of action. Barabbas has to pit his wits against Gaius, a Roman Centurion, as they try and outsmart each other and capture/evade capture whilst finding the truth about the scroll.
The chapters in this book are fairly long (~20min/chapter) which meant I only read the book when I had time to read a whole chapter, but it is really good. It kept me on the edge of my seat, as I was wondering whether the zealots would manage to escape, whether Barabbas could rescue his friends, and throughout the torture, death and loss of family and friends.
In fact, my main disappointment with this book is that Book 2 in the Violent Sands series, When Shadows Scream, isn't available yet! A good read!
Great story of a man's struggle in Jerusalem against the mighty Roman empire. Set around the time of Christ's crucifixion it tells the story of Barabas and the zealots campaign to free Israel of Roman rule. Including biblical facts and references it really gives you a feel of life during that time. All in all, a great read with plenty of twists and turns.
Really more 3 1/2 stars. I liked the book, there was just something holding me back from giving it 4 stars. This story gives the author’s interpretation of the life of Barnabbas; the thief and murderer that was allowed to live so Jesus could take his place in the cross. Anything before and after the scenes with Jesus are pure conjecture but it does make for an interesting read.
In an effort to get people to buy book 2, Book 1 had an unsatisfactory ending. It left the reader wanting more but it wasn't enough to spur buying the second book. If you want the reader to buy more, your first book should give more. The author should join have been so abrupt in his ending after such a lull in activity.
Good book, but only half a story. You must get the next installment to learn what happens next. Nor do I know if that completes the story, or if it is an unending tale.