"Petra" by T.L. Higley

[reviewsbyerin]

The year is 106 AD. Julian is a Roman citizen running from the persecution which has taken the lives of some dear fellow Christians. Cassia is a young mother seeking a new start with her beloved son. T.L. Higley presents us with another masterpiece of historical fiction, using her descriptive style and unique gift to make this ancient city come alive. You'll ride along with a caravan, climb Petra's sandstone steps, scout out the Nabataean palace and ache or cheer with our characters through this journey.

I was intrigued to see how Higley handled the spiritual aspect of a book written after Christ's coming. I have loved her novels set at the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and each of them has featured believers looking forward to the Redeemer. "Petra" has a wonderful focus on the early Church and those who claim the Jewish Messiah as their own. There is a powerful spiritual war ongoing throughout the novel, culminating in a Peretti-esque battle before it is all over. Petra's fate hangs in the balance as a new heir to the throne is discovered and the Roman army marches across the desert to overtake take them and bring them into their empire.

I strongly related to the character of Julian. Like Julian, I am an organizer, a natural leader, and by God's grace have a great deal of personal strength. Strength can be a weakness, though, when one believes they can live by their own power rather than letting the Lord guide. How often I've found myself in Julian's shoes, going strong on a plan I've devised on my own without seeking God's wisdom or will. To see where Higley takes our hero was like a personal challenge to myself. I really enjoyed it and have found myself recalling lessons learned in these past few days since finishing the book. It made an impact, and that is the mark of great story-telling.

As ever, you know the historical side is covered well when you find yourself wanting to research the location and setting on your own! I've had some time to look things up, both on Higley's own NoPassportRequired website and other places, and everything I found seemed familiar because she had seamlessly included so many actual facts and references that I had assimilated much information just by reading the novel. You can't ask for more than that as a fan of this genre! Higley continues to be a favorite and I can't wait for her next release!