Book Review: Risen

From the Back:

The Story of the Resurrection as You've Never Seen It Before
Epic in scope, yet deeply personal, this novelization offers a unique perspective on the story of the resurrection. Roman Tribune Clavius is assigned by Pilate to keep the radical followers of the recently executed Yeshua from stealing the body and inciting revolution. When the body goes missing despite his precautions, Clavius must hunt it down.

His investigation leads him from the halls of Herod Antipas to the Garden of Gethsemane and brings him in touch with believer and doubter alike. But as the body still remains missing, Clavius commits to a quest for the truth--and answers that will not only shake his life but echo throughout all of history.

My Reflections:

This 300 plus page novelization of the resurrection of Christ is quite a unique take on what may have happened after Christ died on the cross and risen again. It was interesting to delve into the life a soldier ( Clavius) who firmly believes that Rome is always right, and following its laws is the only way.
I found this book to be extremely entertaining and thought provoking in the same breath, although we have to remember this is purely fiction wrapped loosely around a factual event. The author does a good job explaining this in the author's notes found in the back of the book.

Told by the main character Calvius a Roman tribune, we experience what life may have been like for the people after Jesus's death. Imagine being a soldier ordered to keep guard over a tomb, only to lose the body. You can imagine what a stir that would cause, not to mention having to face Pilate.
Ordered to find the body Calvius traipses through all kinds of graves, even digging up last week's dead!
Calvius interrogates the followers of Jesus as well as Mary of Magdala, Pilate's wife and Herold to name a few. When no solid answers turn up he is forced to dig deep and really decide what he believes and what he is going to do about those revelations.

While I thoroughly enjoyed this fictional tale I was a little taken back with some of the topics. I would love to say that this is a good book to give to teens but in all honesty I will have to caution parents as there are topics that may not be suitable for youth. Originally I thought it would be a good book study to do with my home schooled older teens, after reviewing it however, I will not be using this book in our curriculum.

If you are looking for a fast paced novelization with a thought provoking perspective this may be just your book.

I received this book free of charge in return for my honest review from Graf-Martin Communications. Thank you Graf-Martin!

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The Authors

1. 

   Angela Hunt

   The author of more than 100 published books and with nearly 5 million copies of her books sold worldwide, Angela Hunt is the New York Times bestselling author of The Note, The Nativity Story, and Esther: Royal Beauty. Romantic Times...
   

   Continue reading about Angela Hunt

2. 

   Kevin Reynolds

   Continue reading about Kevin Reynolds

3. 

   Paul Aiello

   Continue reading about Paul Aiello