Customer Reviews

In the Arms of Immortals: A Novel of Darkness and Light (Chronicles Of The Scribe)

5 star:		(10)
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3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The end of the Middle Ages came from the Black Death, a horrific plague that tore through Europe starting in Sicily, Italy, 1347. It destroyed the feudal system and led to more freedom for the average peasant from their lord and more freedom for thinkers from the church. It is in this heady time that the book, In the Arms of the Immortals, takes place.
The tale starts in the modern day with Mariskka Curtis, who has had an incredible stroke of luck. She has risen to superstardom by publishing a book she has stolen from a dying patient. Little did she know that she had stolen a book written by angels and in publishing it has called their attention to her. They realize she is without Blood, without Christ, and she is given an unusual punishment. She is thrown by in the past to witness the horror of the arrival of the Black Death and perhaps save her soul.
The majority of the book takes place in Sicily 1347, the believed starting point of the Black Death in Europe. A stranger arrives in a little sea side town, a rich man who is eagerly welcomed by the nobility of the town. Soon, people start dying horrifically from blood pouring from every opening and skin tainted with large, swollen boils. How could they know the stranger was Death and the battle for good and evil was being fought in the streets of their town, among the dying?
This story is an interesting take on the Black Death. Scientists have stated the Black Death or Bubonic Plague was caused by btites of infected flea, but many first hand reports tells of hemorrhaging and sudden death. This is not consistent with Bubonic Plague. Garrett incorporates both reports and creates a horrifying picture of the Plague that is quite similar to first hand reports. It was as if Death itself suddenly attacked and took almost everyone in a few horrible days.
Also, Garrett turns this tale into something deeper than just a story of death. She takes a little known fact, a stranger was often seen in villages just before the dying started, and creates a wonderful story about good and evil battling it out over the souls of the dying. Souls are struggled over and won and lost as humans suffer and call out for mercy. Its historical fiction kicked up a notch and infused with mysticism. Great stuff and a wonderful read.

Normally when I finish reading a book I know exactly what I think about it. The opinion I formalize by writing a review rarely changes over the course of time. However, there are some few, rare titles that continue to dwell in my mind, and in my heart; changing both my perceptions of them, and of myself. One of these rare finds is Ginger Garrett's In the Shadow of Lions the first book in the Chronicles of the Scribe series.

To be honest, I wasn't entirely sure what to make or the first novel - Garrett's writing was much more ambiguous than is typical in Christian fiction, with permeable boundaries, and few lines drawn clearly in the sand. The worlds she creates are filled with characters that reek of the flesh - struggling with sin, their own misunderstandings, and life in general. Rarely are they likeable, but they are certainly authentic.

Despite my initial uncertainty, In the Shadow of Lions stuck to me like a burr. I found myself discussing it time and again with people, either the historical events, or the characters themselves. I couldn't rid myself of the novel; it kept digging deeper into me - lingering, and making a home for itself in my heart.

Naturally, I was overjoyed when the second installment in the series In the Arms of Immortals was released this fall. Easily read as a stand-alone novel, Garret shifts the focus of her new work to Marisska - the bitter, self-absorbed hospice nurse we met briefly in the first novel. The thread of the series is passed on to Marisska as she too encounters the Scribe and angelic beings. Sent back in time to the year 1347 in Sicily, Marisska is unable to communicate with those around her and is perceived as a mad woman as she tries to warn the local citizens of the plague about to befall them - the Black Death.

The theme of spiritual warfare is incredibly well developed in this novel; Garrett's hugely powerful angels are the best fictional depiction I've ever read. Her characters throb with life - excepting the honorable knight Armando, who was somewhat flat. The one character I wanted so dearly to like, if only there was more of him there to read. His relative underdevelopment and an epilogue that jumps to a previously unforeseen conclusion are my only complaints.

Readers who appreciate thoughtful historical fiction should avail themselves of Garrett's work immediately. Her words paint a beautifully, multi-textured story, full of rich emotions, vivid detail, and unforgettable characters. Though I rarely read a novel twice, I'm keeping my copies of the Chronicles of the Scribe series on the shelf - to lend out, and more importantly - to savour once again myself. With only one novel left in the series - In the Eyes of Eternity - I'm hoping that Garrett will continue to write absorbing historical fiction for many years to come.

Having read three of Ginger Garrett's books, one thing I can say for certain is that her style of Christian fiction is quite unlike any other. She tells stories of women in historical settings, and in a manner that is unquestionably talented but at the same time strange. Her books are very similar to those of Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker, but with a more female slant.

Reading a Ginger Garrett book is like eavesdropping on a conversation where you know nothing about the people who are speaking, and you have to try and figure it all out just from their conversation. There is no "narrator" to fill you in, nor does she weave explanations or backstory into her characters' dialogue as authors often do. No, Ms. Garrett makes her readers work -- you are left totally on your own to try and figure out who these people are, what their relationships are to each other, and what is going on. When you add in the fact that most of the dialogue and characters' thoughts are disjointed and incoherent, and that there is a heavy supernatural element overlaying it all, it adds up to a pretty surreal reading experience. Which is probably the best word I can come up with to summarize Ginger Garrett's books in a nutshell: surreal, with a touch of dark.

This one is set in Sicily in 1347, at the outset of the bubonic plague. There's really not much to the plot, if you boil it all down: the plague sweeps into a little village, decimating the population, and just a few survive. And, like her earlier work In the Shadow of Lions, this book involves a woman who is sent back from the 21st century, as a way to expiate her sins and find redemption.

Although I wouldn't really categorize Garrett's books as historicals (To me they defy categorization. What do you call these books?), she does create a vivid sense of the time and place. Her depiction of the plague is pretty gruesome, but probably realistic. I don't necessarily agree with her interpretation of the supernatural elements, or the conclusions she draws in the epilogue, but I can still appreciate both for their entertainment value.

As in Shadow of Lions, she includes scenes with The Scribe and other angels. And as in Shadow, these beings are depicted as big, burly men. In both books she tries to insert bits of humor between the angels and the 21st century women, but the humor is rather silly and doesn't fit the mood of the books.

Ginger Garrett is without question a talented writer, and I plan on reading her third and final book in this Scribe series. That being said, her style is not my favorite. I read her books because I like variety; it is, after all, the spice of life. But with some spices, a little bit goes a long way!

In the Arms of Immortals by Ginger Garrett is the second book in the Chronicles of the Scribes series. It is a beautiful October day in 1347 on the island of Sicily when a mysterious ship comes ashore. Not long after its lone passenger sets foot on the island, people start dying, horrifically and suddenly, and no one will be left untouched by its wake. Not the beautiful daughter of the baron or the knight who loves her. The outcast female healer or the town priest she once loved. Mariskka, once a hospice nurse, now an author with a secret, had no thought of anyone else, including those residents of Sicily until a strange force propels her into the past and forces her to face its horrors. Garrett has stared an enigmatic and fascinating series with the Scribes, and I hope that it doesn't end any time soon! She has a rare talent for writing about the invisible spirits around us that make them come to life and feel real without ever being hokey. Her recreation of the Black Plague is difficult to read, but all too easy to believe. Death, followed by violence and bloodshed keeps the pages turning, even as the reader wants to turn away from the darkness that is so realistically rendered. I love this completely original series with its depiction of the past along with angels and demons!

Mariskka fell from grace and had to re-learn humidity when she stole a manuscript from a dead patient's room. She passed it off as her own. She quickly went from rags to riches. While preparing to take a shower, Mariskka hits her head and blacks out. When she awakes, she is visited by a Scribe. The Scribe is a group of guardian angels. This Scribe is not paying Mariskka a friendly visit. In fact he tells her that she has no guardian angel, due to her actions.

A ship arrives. It is carrying a very deadly disease. Soon people all over are dying. There deaths cause a panic. Something odd has happened to the villagers. Their skin is forming legions and boiling. The people don't know it yet but the worst plague in history has just started...The Black Plague.

Mariskka must find a way to help the people. It won't be easy as woman during these times had no voices or input.

In the Arms of Immortals is the second book in the Chronicles of the Scribe series. In the Shadow of Lions is the first book in this series. To be honest, I didn't feel like you will miss anything by having not read the prior novel, though I can promise you that after reading this book you will be running to the nearest book store to pick up a copy of In the Shadow of Lions.

Not all Christian books are preachy. Most do tell a good story with strong characters. One of the best things I enjoy about reading these types of books is that they fulfill me and the plots have great substance. Ginger Garrett does this and more in, In the Arms of Immortals. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this series.

Ginger Garrett's "In the Arms of the Immortals" is an absolute thrill ride! What a creatively crafted work of fiction! The author incorporates spiritual elements in the form of guardian angels who propel our main modern-day character into medieval Sicily at the time of the Black Plague. This moment in time that was so steeped in mystery and superstition comes to vivid life in the pages of this novel as our leading lady is sent back in time as punishment for stealing a manuscript from a dead patient and selling it as her own work.

I adore the little extras that are added to books published by David Cook. The discussion questions, author interviews, and information on the Black Plague and medieval Europe is fascinating and really enhances the enjoyment of the novel. This is one novel that is tough to put down. From cover to cover, it is truly a work of art.

Sometimes you just know you're going to love a book. Can I please pull a Jerry Maguire and say Ginger had me with the first line? Couldn't help it--I assaulted people for days, insisting they share the brilliance of her opening barrage. Probably not the best strategy as I had to hide the book from the kiddies to get the review written.

This is a fun read and Ginger really knows how to tell a story. The interplay of history juxtaposed against the spiritual forces running alongside weave in and out from the natural realm to the spiritual to create a fascinating view into What Might Be. The story barrels along, building steam. I mean really--how does she do it? We're talking the Black Plague here--not a lot of mystery how this will end. And yet, she's crafted a story within a story to build suspense right up to her lovely ending.

This is why I read books. I'm heading over to buy the first book in the series right this minute.

Nice job, Ginger.

After reading Ms. Garret's book, In the Shadow of the Lion, I was very much looking forward to this book about the Black Death in Sicily. What a huge disappointment. While her previous book was very historical, this one is more than a little hysterical. The story is disjointed, implausible, and pointless. I finished it because I was sure it would get better eventually. It did not. I think Ms. Garret is a good writer, but this is not an example of her skills.

I adore Ginger Garrett's books. Tis a fact. I love how she makes history come alive and then drops you smack dab in the middle of it. In the Arms of Immortals is the 2nd in the Chronicles of the Scribe Trilogy.

Main character Mariska is sent back in time to witness the Black Death begin its rampage across Europe. Her power of speech is taken from her and she feels helpless as people begin to succumb to the Plague. However, instead of losing hope, she finds the Giver of Hope and Peace. She meets Jesus, right in the middle of death.

Spiritual warfare, evil incarnate, medieval castles, transforming salvation, horrifying ugly plague...what more could you ask for in a novel? =D

Ginger Garrett continues to deliver. Immerse yourself in history and see how God is ever-present and ever-constant.

I admit that this book was a bit bizarre and confusing. However, Ginger Garrett is such a beautiful writer, I stuck with it. Throughout the novel, I found myself marking particularly deep and poetic passages that struck a chord with me. I learned so much from this book. I felt like it was a tough, but worthwhile read. The spiritual messages at the end were amazingly strong, and I will never forget them.