Status
Call number
Series
Publication
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Suspense. Thriller. HTML: The Search for the Map—and the secret behind its cryptic code—intensifies in a quest across time, space, and multiple realities. But what if the true treasure isn't the map at all . . . what if the map marks something far greater? Something one world cannot contain? Those who desire to unlock that mystery are in a race to possess the secret—for good or evil. Kit Livingstone is mastering the ability to travel across realities using ley lines and has forged a link from the Bone House, a sacred lodge made of animal bones, to the fabled Spirit Well, a place of profound power. His friend Mina is undercover in a Spanish monastery high in the Pyrenees, learning all she can from a monk named Brother Lazarus. Still determined to find Kit, she is beginning to experience a greater destiny than she can fathom. Cassandra Clarke is overseeing an archaeological dig in Arizona when a chance encounter transports her to 1950s Damascus. There, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to the Seekers—the last living remnants of the Zetetic Society who need her help to track down the missing Cosimo Livingstone and his grandson Kit. But there are darker forces at work in the universe whose agents always seem to be one step ahead of the rest—and they're all desperate to gain the ultimate prize in this treasure hunt where the stakes increase at every turn. At the heart of the mystery lies the Spirit Well. "Lawhead's intricately plotted, compelling tale continues to demonstrate his mastery of world building." —Library Journal.… (more)
User reviews
If you aren’t
Kit Livingstone and his comrades are rather new to the cause, and while they’ve been bumbling around a bit trying to sort out the situation, nefarious forces have sought to oppose them. The key to the puzzle seems to be the Skin Map. Made from the skin of an accomplished, systematic ley-traveller, the map is marked with cryptic symbols that map this way-paths integral to this method of travel.
In any case, I have read the series to date so far, and it’s becoming quite promising. In the first two novels I wasn’t entirely sure what to think (as is often the case), and there are still some areas I’m still undecided on (like the author’s take on pre-historic peoples).
Still – this is an intriguing series nonetheless. While the action has moved away from the search for the Skin Map and the direct conflict between the various parties seeking to obtain it, the book focuses instead on a loose, ever-shifting revealing of back-story. As the characters jump to and fro through time and space, so do the threads that tie the story together, weaving it into a tighter and more connected whole.
We’re able to see the characters maturing and growing in self-confidence, fortitude, and intrepidness while we also see the author slowly and subtly weaving more faith-based threads into the story (though those remain loosely tied for now, and not at all directly related to the gospel and salvation to date).
As always, the writing style is engaging and varied between the different character’s voices (as they come from different locales and time periods). There’s still enough drive to discover the mysteries at the heart of the series that my reading didn’t stall out at all. I read solidly, even eagerly through the third novel (and was left hungry for more!)
There are still enough loose ends and undrawn conclusions that I’m not ready to whole-heartedly and unreservedly recommend the series until I’m sure I can see where it’s going. I will say however, that it’s a well-written fascinating read that I’m thoroughly enjoying.
Reviewed at quiverfullfamily.com