G537 Book Review of Angels at the Gate by TK Thorne
Author: T.K Thorne
ISBN: 978-3-906-196-02-2
Publisher: Cappuccino books
Type of book: 1748-1746 PME, Abram, Sarai, Babylon, caravan, desert, survival, dog and human bond, gritty life, disguised as a boy, bible as modern stories, watchers, stories of Enoch, the Stonehenge temples, Middle East, early beliefs, angels
Year it was published: 2015
Summary:
Little is known about Lot’s wife, the unnamed biblical figure who was turned into a pillar of salt as she fled the destruction of Sodom. But for writer T.K. Thorne, just one reference was enough to ignite her imagination and form the basis for her dazzling new novel, ANGELS AT THE GATE (Cappuccino Books, March 2015). Like Noah’s Wife, Thorne’s highly praised debut, this book brings the ancient world to life through the eyes of an extraordinary woman.
Based on historical, biblical, and archaeological research, visits to the Middle East, and a large measure of creativity, ANGELS AT THE GATE is the story of Adira, destined to become Lot’s wife. A daughter of Abram's tribe, Adira is an impetuous young girl whose mother died in childbirth. Secretly raised as a boy in her father’s caravan and schooled in languages and the art of negotiation, Adira rejects the looming changes of womanhood that threaten her nomadic life and independence.
But with the arrival of two mysterious strangers – Northmen rumored to be holy or possibly even “Angels” – Adira’s world unravels. Raiders invade the caravan, and she loses everything she values most – her father, her freedom, and even the “Angels.”
Caught between her oath to her father to return to her tribe and the “proper life for a woman” and tormented by an impossible love, she abandons all she has known in a dangerous quest to seek revenge and find her kidnapped “Angel.” With only her beloved dog, Nami, at her side, Adira must use the skills she learned in the caravan to survive the perils of the desert, Sodom, and her own heart.
ANGELS AT THE GATE is a story of adventure and the power of love, exploring themes about choice – the importance of asking the right questions and walking the fine edge between duty and personal freedom.
Based on a simple mention in the Bible, T.K. Thorne has developed a complex and full-bodied character in the wife of Lot, a woman both ancient and modern, who will touch readers’ hearts, and live in their memories for years to come. As Dianne Mooney, founder of Southern Living At Home says, “For all those whose curiosity is piqued by how it might have been in the time of Sodom and Gomorrah, this is a must read!”
“A masterpiece of historical research, interweaving history and theology in a re-visioning
of an ancient story from a woman’s perspective. Thorne is a dazzlingly gifted writer.”
–Sue Walker, Poet Laureate of Alabama, 2003-2012
“Thorne unspools an ancient adventure with crackling undertones
of our contemporary lives. Lean, polished action sequences render
a young woman’s life with both intensity and nuanced truth.”
–Dale Short, public radio commentator and author of A Shinning, Shinning Path
Characters:
The main character is Adir/Adira, a spunky, tomboyish young woman who is forced to pass off as a man. She is loyal, disobedient, and incredibly resourceful when it comes to survival and withstanding the difficulty of life. She really has tenacity and courage to do what she can for those she cares about. There is also the dog, Nami, Adira's best friend and companion who is loyal and only wants to please her mistress. Mika is thought of as an "angel" by Adira, the caravan and other people they meet. He is a healer, curious, and speaks very little. Raph is Mika's brother who happens to be a warrior and is more flashy than earthy. Its interesting in how Lot is portrayed, and its also an interesting way in how the author handles him. Lot is, well, best described as wealthy, obnoxious, insulting, rude, spiteful, and has very inappropriate relations.
Theme:
Accept yourself
Plot:
The story is written in first person narrative from Adir/Adira's point of view. Like Noah's Wife, its filled with amazing attention to detail, gritty life during that time which will not be agreeable to modern sensibilities, an adventurous story of survival in the desert and a love bond between an animal and a human being. The dog itself is drawn as a human and during certain times I became very heartbroken by what happened to her. Last but not least, there is an evolution of beliefs, from the time that Noah and his wife believed in mother and father god, to where ideas about monotheism begin to form. A very informative and a worthwhile read.
Author Information:
(FROM HFVBT)
Buy Angels at the Gate
About the Author
T.K. Thorne’s childhood passion for storytelling deepened when she became a police officer in Birmingham, Alabama. “It was a crash course in life and what motivated and mattered to people.” When she retired as a captain, she took on Birmingham’s business improvement district as the executive director. Both careers provide fodder for her writing, which has garnered several awards, including “Book of the Year for Historical Fiction” (ForeWord Reviews) for her debut novel Noah’s Wife. Her first non-fiction book, Last Chance for Justice, was featured on the New York Post’s “Books You Should Be Reading” list. She loves traveling, especially to research her novels, and speaking about her books and life lessons. She writes at her mountaintop home, often with two dogs by her side and a cat on her lap.
She blogs at www.TKs-tales.com and her web site is www.TKThorne.com. You can also find her onFacebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads. Sign Up for T.K. Thorne’s newsletter.
Opinion:
Since I've read and loved Noah's Wife by the same author, I've really jumped aboard in learning more about Lot's wife and Lot's family. The author doesn't disappoint in once more stripping away biblical myths and goes deeper into how these myths were formed. Its an excellent adventure story with a very strong woman heroine and I really felt as if I was back in time with Adira, going through the desert caravan and meeting people of the past, biblical and non-biblical. When comparing it to Noah's Wife, there does seem to be something missing from it, which I can't quite put my finger on it, or perhaps in some ways I was a bit disappointed with the direction that the story took place. Also, if you're a dog lover, you're in for a treat. An excellent and a quick read. I think I understand now what might be missing: in Noah's Wife, it feels as if the author literally peeled away layers of myths and exposed the readers to what might be truths (there are grains of truth in every myth,) but with this one there seemed to be more hesitancy and a little more uncertainty. By the way, this is not a traditional biblical story, but its a story of truths behind the myths.
This is for Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours, and I won this from Goodreads First Reads Program
Angels at the Gate Blog Tour Schedule
4 out of 5(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)
Comments
Post a Comment