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Fiction. Historical Fiction. HTML: Revised and updated from the original, Christy-award finalist Shadow of Colossus. Enslaved in a World of Money and Power, Tessa Dares to be Free. Raised as courtesan to wealthy and powerful men, Tessa of Delos serves at the whim of her current patron, the politician Glaucus. After ten years with him, Tessa has abandoned all desire for freedom or love, choosing instead to lock her heart away. But when Glaucus meets a violent death in his own home, Tessa grasps at a fragile hope. Only she knows of his death. If she can keep it a secret long enough, she can escape. Tessa throws herself on the mercy of the Greek god Helios, but finds instead unlikely allies in Nikos, a Greek slave, and Simeon, Glaucus's Jewish head servant. As Simeon introduces her to a God unlike any she has ever known and Nikos begins to stir feelings she had thought long dead, Tessa fights to keep her heart protected. As an assassination plot comes to light, Tessa must battle for her own freedom�??and for those to whom she has begun to open her heart�??as forces collide that shatter the island's peace. ". . . Readers will find much to enjoy here: fine writing, suspense, mystery, faith, love, and a new look at an old story." �??Publishers Weekly (for Garden of Madness… (more)
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*SPOILER WARNING*
*SPOILER WARNING*
While I thought the plot of this book was interesting, I was deeply disappointed in the writing itself. I found the characters to be not only simplistic, but shallow. The political situations portrayed, while they ought to be complex, were
Ugh.
Beyond that, the book's backpage summary promised "an enticing portrait of an ancient pagan culture from a biblical worldview". I'm not certain what "a biblical worldview" is supposed to mean (and I'm not certain that whoever wrote the blurb does, either), but the "enticing portrait..." consisted mostly of very brief scenes in places of worship that were used mostly as a backdrop for social and political machinations. There really is very little here about the ancient world, Greek paganism or the political complexities of the time and place portrayed.
Finally, the metaphors used to imply personal development of the characters were beyond heavy-handed - I felt bludgeoned by them. I finished the book because it had, as I said, an interesting plot...but several times I had to put it down when the author's overriding messages were being hammered too loudly through the story itself.
The charachters were not completely uninteresting, they just seemed to be lacking any depth.
The book was a fairly enjoyable if predictable "quick read" It just didn't live up to my hopes for the premis.
Although the first few pages of the story seemed pretty intriguing, I quickly lost patience with this book. One of the reasons was the unrealistically shallow character portrayals. All of the characters were one-dimensional and simplistic. There just wasn't a lot going on with any of these people mentally or verbally, and it felt like I was reading about really rough stock characters instead of people who I was supposed to sympathize with or feel for in any way. Though the story itself was interesting, I never really cared for any of the players.
Another thing I wasn't prepared for were the traditional Christian messages and values throughout the book. I read this book not knowing much about it other than the premise, and was a little put off by some of the sentiments expressed throughout the story. Although it wasn't annoying, there was some blatant proselytizing in addition to some very irksome opinions scattered along the story. In one instance, it was posited that it was a woman's highest imperative to produce offspring; if she didn't, her life didn't amount to very much. I found that passage alone left me feeling really uncharitable towards the book. Had I known that this book was a kind of religious platform, I would have probably had a different opinion of it, because I would have been prepared for it. As it was, the religious messages weren't pervasive or preachy, but they still felt cumbersome and stood out blatantly from the rest of the story.
Lastly, I thought that the writing style was somewhat unvarnished and simple. The sentence construction in most of the book was very basic andunchallenging . I think a little more weight and artfulness in the prose would have shifted the narrative onto a more complex level. Lacking this, some elements that could have been powerful seemed trivial and lacked depth. Overall, though, I found the plot the most interesting thing about the book. Although it only covered a few days, there was much intrigue and imagination in that respect. Despite my other problems with the story, I found myself drawn to the outcome of the personal and political situations that the characters faced. The author's ability to involve fantastically dramatic elements in the story kept me engrossed with the story itself, despite the other drawbacks. The book had a great premise and the possibility of rich characters, but the mechanics of the writing defeated all that.
I think this book would be a good choice for those who enjoy Christian themed historical fiction, or for a young adult audience. As long as the reader doesn't expect too much from the story and can appreciate it for what it is, I think that they can avoid the disappointment that I had with the book. This is supposedly the first book in a planned series called the Seven Wonders. I can't really say that I will be reading any of the others, though the author does include a sneak peek into the first chapter of the next book in the end of Shadow of Colossus. For those who aren't sure about reading the book, perhaps a brief read through of this section might give you an idea of whether you would like the book or the series.
Meanwhile there is political unrest in the city as tensions rise between the Greeks and Jews. While Tessa tries to carry Glaucus's voice for peace another councilman, the power hungry Spiro, has plans of his own. Not only does scheme to take control of the government but he also has plans to take Tessa as his own.
This book was entertaining but for the most part, it was quite predictable. It would probably appeal most to high school readers, but the story was not without merit. I liked the way that faith was tied into the novel through the character of Simeon and his family. I found that the presentation of God's love by the Jewish characters was an interesting way to stray from traditional Christian fiction.
For ten years, Tessa of Delos has been in Glaucus’s ownership as his hetaera (an owned woman). Tessa had given up all hope. It seemed like she would never experience freedom again. It looked like the only way Tessa would gain her freedom
Tessa had a great personality about her. She was a pillar of strength as well as endurance. I enjoyed reading Shadow of Colossus. I found myself having a hard time putting it down. I felt Mrs. Higley writing really brought a real Greek authenticity to the story. Reading Shadow of Colossus by T.L. Higley is the first time I have read anything by this author. I love discovering new authors especially ones that I can recommend to all my friends. Shadow of Colossus was flawless in my opinion. Shadow of Colossus is the first book in the Seven Wonders series. If all the rest of the books are as amazing as this one was than this series will be a bestseller hit. I look forward to a long successful future to Mrs. Higley and her books.
"Weaving in and out of actual events, brushing lightly against the lives of characters from the pages of history, the Seven Wonders
This novel might have taken place in 227 BC, but there is no doubt in my mind that it falls within a classification of Christian fiction. Through the characters hearts and mind, the "one true God" makes his love and redemption vision known.
The author has used a talent for story telling to educate and to fill the soul with a redemptive tale that is as classic as the story of the woman at the well or the good Samaritan. God loves you, and can use you, and desires you, no matter your past or situation.
Upon Glaucus' abrupt death Tessa learns the truth. She's not to be set free but sold to the next person in line with enough money to buy her, a man even crueler than Glaucus ever was. With the help of one of Glaucus' most loyal servants, Tessa is able to keep his death a secret while she plots her escape but being the most recognized hetaera on the island makes this an almost impossible task.
This was a wonderful saga intertwined with a heart-warming romance. On the opening pages Tessa is on the verge of suicide but she sees a light at the end of the tunnel that blossoms into brilliant hope. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read City of the Dead which is out now and Guardian of the Flame due out in October. I highly recommend this for historical fiction lovers.
T.L. Higley is a very good writer, but this book didn't hold my attention. The one thing I missed in his book was the sense of location. As I read
Well written, but not the type of book that draws me in, and a disappointment.
I received an electronic version of this book through the "bookSneeze" program.
Isle of Shadows by Tracy L Higley
Christian READ
This is a great christian read. The author weaves christian fiction wonderfully and adds aspects of the bible in it in a unique way. The journey Tessa takes is a hard one and through it finds the
From the very first page the author takes you back to a time before Christ in the land of Rhodes, where we learn about Rhodes most respected hetera, Tessa of Delios. Tessa is in a world not of her own choosing and is forced to be a slave in many respects. She longs to be free from men and their possessive needs. When an accident threatens to leave Tessa in line for death, Simeon and Nikos become her ally in this deadly game of politics and power. Can she trust them when she has hardened her heart to love and trust? This journey with Tessa is a emotional one that has hurt and grief that transforms to love and acceptance of God's greater picture. I give this book a 5 star review!
The characters were real, although the hero seemed too perfect to
I highly question the heroines' ability to speak for a man. Her role seemed too elevated for their society, (although the premise of the book).
Tracy was able to weave it make it believable.
I appreciated the real Christian perspective, not just a hint and a prayer of a Christian book.
Will look for more of her books.
I enjoyed the historical aspects of this book and the depiction of Greek and Jewish culture and customs. Sometimes the story seems too far fetched for me, however. I'd rate it as an average Christian fiction read, and suggest it if someone really likes historical settings. It's the first of a series where the author writes about each of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. So there will be more to read if you like this one.