The End of the Magi by Patrick W Carr

Review: The thought passed through my mind, after I finished reading this book, that all of Patrick Carr's writings to date have all been leading him towards this story. I have read his series with Errol Stone and his Darkwater Saga series, and I dearly loved all of those books. However, none of them felt as important nor touched me as deeply as The End of the Magi.

I know a large part of the reason is because The End of the Magi focuses on something infinitely precious to me - the coming of the Messiah. I was riveted by the tale of the magi, and of the possible story that led those wise men to an innkeeper's stable thousands of years ago. The prophecies of Daniel rang true throughout the pages and roused my interest in the dates the magi so carefully kept.

This story brought to life, in a more vivid fashion than I have ever seen before, the boiling pot of turmoil our Savior was born into. My word, but what a time and place to be born! You'll never forget your history again as you ride alongside Myrad, in a valiant attempt to follow the star, as he fights deserts, raiders, skirts an embroiled political disaster as Rome smashes its head against the other world leaders and more.

The writing in this book is typical Patrick Carr, and you will find yourself not wanting to put this book down. Myrad, one of the magi, is a seriously flawed but heroic character. From his club foot to orphaned state, he is an unlikely candidate to survive the journey set before him. The cast of characters that Carr draws around Myrad brings the story to life and leaves you falling in love with some and narrowing yours eyes at other. Carr does a great job of weaving multiple story-lines together, and I loved following Myrad through his wild adventure.

I loved this book, and I loved the story most of all. I would definitely recommend this book.

Back Cover: 

Centuries before the magi arrived in Bethlehem,
a prophecy sets a young magus on his path . . .
Following his vision of the coming Messiah, the prophet Daniel calls forth a select group of men who will count down the calendar until the arrival of Israel's promised king. Centuries later, as the day draws near, Myrad, a young magi acolyte, flees for his life when his adoptive father and others are slain by a ruthless Parthian queen.

Equipped with very little, in haste Myrad escapes the city and, searching for a way to hide from the soldiers scouring the trade routes, tries to join the caravan of the merchant Walagash. The merchant senses that Myrad is keeping secrets, but when the young man proves himself a valuable asset, an epic journey filled with peril, near captures, and dangerous battles begins.

With every day that passes, the calendar creeps closer to the coming Messiah. And over everything shines the dream of a star that Myrad can't forget, and the promise that the world will never be the same.
Thank-you to Graf Martin Communications and to Baker Publishing House for a complimentary copy of this novel.