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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An oxymoron: A scary Christian novel, May 17, 2009
This review is from: Field of Blood (Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)
A Christian vampire novel? Genius. It is quite difficult for vampire fans to find a genuine vampire novel absent of excessive eroticism, yet still embraces the essence to intrigue the imagination. This is not just another spinoff of Bram Stoker's excellent novel, but an exquisitely unique narrative based on vampire lore and enriched with Wilson's originality and creativity. He accomplishes this rare feat while still nourishing an edgy mood. By contrast and point of reference, I've also read Elizabeth Kostova's vampire novel, THE HISTORIAN. Her book is beautifully written, but after a while the suspense fades, which caused me to lose interest. If you like a novel that is a thrill from the first page through the last, Wilson does not disappoint.
The story starts with the events following Judas's suicide in the field of Akeldama, or Field of Blood.
"What if his tainted blood seeped deep into the earth, into burial caves, causing a counterfeit resurrection of the dead?" Counterfeit life was breathed into the buried dead--and born were the undead. They secretly infiltrate pockets of society, walking dead among the mortal. Their mission: lure the unwary into deviltry and collect souls. An opposing force, the immortal Nistarim, battles to protect mankind from the Akeldama, creating epic tension in the spiritual realms.
I appreciate novels that involve impressive research, and this one surpasses typical expectations. The author even travelled to Jerusalem to research the story elements. This depth is important, because it allows the reader to more easily suspend disbelief.
This is a sophisticated story--there are enough plot twists to make a perm look straight. It's not hard to follow, but if you like to daydream about other things while you're reading a novel, this book will make you concentrate.
Although a spiritual thriller, this is not for the faint of heart. It will scare you. If you frighten easily, I suggest you read it in broad daylight, with the lights on...and the doors locked.
Wilson proves it's possible to write a hair-raising, Stephen King-esque novel without the extravagant gore and profanity. It is startling, harrowing, and totally compelling. This is book one in the Jerusalem's Undead series, a series destined to be one of the most talked about in literary circles.
You'll never again look at a mysterious insect bite in the same way. Was it really just a mosquito?
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22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Perfect Blend of Truth and Fiction, September 18, 2008
This review is from: Field of Blood (Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)
I've waited a long time to read this book. From the first time I read the premise over a year ago, I wanted to read it. The idea of a book's foundation rooted in the Akeldama and Matthew 27:52-53 (The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.) just seemed to be a powerful combination rich with themes to explore. Wilson did not disappoint. Field of Blood was everything I hoped it would be and much more. With a gentle touch, this dark and gripping story is written with the conviction of an author with a story to tell that the world needs to hear.
Consolidating Field of Blood to a paragraph does little good. There's plenty of background on the book at www.jerusalemsundead.com and it does a far better job than I could ever begin to do. Also absent will be any true critique of the author, style, or overall writing of this book (that's better left in more capable hands anyway). Very quickly--it's well written, well researched, and enjoyable to read. So with all that out of the way, I'll get to the point. This is an excellent book for a multitude of reasons. First off, it's different. It offers a glimpse of what Christian fiction without pious constraints can be. Christian fiction can be original and inventive and it can use elements from secular entertainment to create a mind blowing spiritual novel. It's interesting how modern Christian fiction has really taken to demons and serial killers, but has yet to embrace the use of vampires and other mythological creatures. Admittedly my knowledge of vampires and the legends surrounding them is scant at best. However, one does not have to be a fan of vampire novels to love Field of Blood. The vampires are a tool used to paint a much larger picture. There is no glorification of these undead nor is there any twisting of their intent. Who and what they represent is clear and that line is never blurred. Simply put, they're a very powerful weapon used to illuminate the conflict between good and evil.
The struggle between good and evil is at the heart of so many novels these days. However, often times the good and evil is generalized and the focus is not always clearly directed at the source. Field of Blood does not let anyone off the hook. It's very convicting. The hidden sins, aka our thorn in the flesh, are not something to be ignored. To do so only leads to greater trauma.
As with our own lives, each character is faced with choices. A free will to determine the path we take. While many books devote a great deal of time to this subject, Wilson puts a face to it in a unique and effective way. Each has a choice to follow and each has a choice as to how committed that following is. Even a Collector's host can choose whether or not to obey. None of us are forced to choose the path we do not want to walk.
Not lost is the use of many Biblical passages. From Abraham's conversation with God regarding Sodom and Gomorrah to Jesus' death and resurrection, we are given a wonderful reminder of some of the Bible's powerful stories and an awesome demonstration of God's unfailing love. While many books get so tied up in teaching the Bible and specific lessons, they isolate people, Field of Blood takes a more subtle approach and draws the reader to the story, letting God open their heart to His word.
We know there are wolves dressed as sheep and we know there are modern day Pharisees, but we also know there are devout followers of Christ who have no fear of Satan and his followers. While most of the characters in this book are deeply flawed and struggle with their beliefs, Wilson gives us a couple of awesome and beautiful examples of believers without fear--those who hold the knowledge of Christ and the power of His blood. They are bright and shining lights in an otherwise dark and frightening world.
Couple of more thoughts and I'll wrap up. I don't think there is anyway to not mention the tenderness in this rather rough book. If you read some of Wilson's interviews, you'll see he has a heart for the hurt and rejected. This concern is clearly evident. The pain of those in a world that's dying and suffering is often times overlooked in an effort to convince people to just believe. The problem is when we ignore their pain, why should they listen. With a market flooded with `perfect' heroes and squeaky clean Christian characters, Wilson gives us a healthy dose of reality. We all struggle, we all hurt, we all cry, and we all need Jesus.
Lastly, for anyone who might question the appropriateness of a book which includes vampires and other lore, let me put your mind at ease. There is nothing unbiblical about Field of Blood. From the prologue to the last page, there is a depth to this book that goes well beyond the fictional story being told. There is truth to be seen and there are lessons to be learned. Field of Blood is Christian, but it's not a 400 page sermon. It's realistic and accurate where it should be and pure entertainment where it should be. It's everything you could hope for in a Christian book--something for the lost to contemplate and for the believer to never forget.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I'm so Thirsty for More!!!, September 17, 2008
This review is from: Field of Blood (Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)
In 1989, a work crew outside of Jerusalem accidentally discovers an ancient burial chamber beneath the field where Judas Iscariot hung himself. In the shadows, evil spirits, known as Collectors, wait for a new opportunity to once again take on human form to bring destruction to the world. As the Collectors claim the bodies of the dead they discover new power from the blood of Judas that was swallowed up by the earth when he died. Armed with evil intent and a never ending thirst for blood, the Collectors seek to destroy their immortal enemies who draw life from the blood of the Nazarene. Caught between both sides, a young Romanian girl is about to discover she is far more important than she could ever imagine.
Eric Wilson blends history and fiction seamlessly in this astonishing beginning to the Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy. Field of Blood is being marketed as a Christian Vampire story, but in reality this is so much more. Fear not bloodsucker fans, there are plenty of vampires to go around and Wilson's original approach to a widely popular genre is excitingly fresh and innovative. However, Wilson has successfully done what few have even attempted: blending vampire lore with Christianity. The result is a wondrous story that is thrilling at every turn, consistently eye-opening, and ultimately inspirational.
Wilson's characters leap off the page drawing us ever deeper into this wonderfully complex story. These villains are evil to the core and we are never spared a detail in the frightening bloodshed and carnage they bestow. The heroes are wonderfully flawed, endearing, and even infectious in their perpetual stand for righteousness. As the story progresses we are whisked from location to location with stunning detail. Whether it's Jerusalem, Romania, or even Chattanooga, Tennessee, Wilson effortlessly convinces us we are along for the ride. Eric Wilson's faithful fans will also love the subtle connections to his previous works that are laced throughout the story.
Field of Blood will no doubt spark controversy and I'm sure many readers will hear the words "Christian" and "Vampire" in the same sentence and run for the hills. Unfortunately for them, they will miss out on what is not only Eric Wilson's best novel to date, but easily one of the most powerful and inspirational novels I've read in years. This is intense and edgy writing to be sure, yet nowhere will you find the redemptive power of Christ's blood explored so brilliantly in fiction. And the best part? There are still two more books to come! I've had my taste and I am so thirsty for more....
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