 |
It is a relic like no other, said to have magical powers that can make the possessor incapable of being defeated. Napoleon desired it. Hitler sought it. Now it’s been found: the Lance of Longinus—the spear that pierced the side of Jesus as he hung upon the cross. But who does it really belong to, and can the finders keep it when so many will do so much to have it for their own?
The setting is Istanbul 2004. An English archeologist and his Muslim assistant uncover the fabled relic. They know what they’ve stumbled onto, but soon others know as well. A kettle of human vultures begins to circle overhead. Luci is a corporate titan and collector of ancient artifacts. Hugo is an ex-Nazi with his own deadly stormtrooper. Sir Richard is not only the head of the few remaining Knight Templers but also perhaps the last of the lineage from Jesus and Mary Magdalene. As each one attempts to hijack the lance, mistaken identity thrusts two wedded American doctors into the fray. There follows a mad chase to claim the prize.
Author Vasil infuses his story with history, but it never slows down the hectic pace as his characters battle for possession of the legendary lance. The author uses character development to personify different moral failings from lust to gluttony, arrogance, pride, the quest for power, and more. He then intertwines religious rejuvenation with unexpected outcomes to eventually tie a bow on all of his plot’s loose ends. Upon reaching the last page, the race has been run, the prize has been won, and the writer has led the reader on a fun-filled ride of bedevilment, bedazzlement, and belief.