Customer Reviews

Petra: City in Stone

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Journey back through the sands of time...

Vivid adventure, survival, and a quest for truth fill the pages of Petra, City in Stone. The glory days of the Roman Empire and the struggle of the early Christians make a compelling background to the lives of nobles and slaves alike.

Powerful characters carry the story down dangerous paths, filled with sinister shadows and evil darkness. Petra, City in stone, harbors many secrets but light and love can find a way when the heart is open. Failures turn into triumphs and impossible odds are challenged.

Intense emotion, human imperfections, unconquerable determination...

Petra, City in Stone, is indeed fiction at it's finest!

I'm the type of person that has a really, really hard time putting a good novel down once it draws me in. I tend to devour them, often in one sitting. Alas, my current busy household doesn't allow for extended reading time like that. Instead, I stayed up way, way too late two nights in a row reading Petra: City of Stone, the newest novel by T.L. Higley. I'm so glad B&H Publishing sent it to me for review, because I might have missed it if they hadn't.

Petra is the first in a new series set in "lost cities"...the next volume, due out in mid-2011, will be set in Pompeii. In Petra, Cassia and her young son, having no where else to turn, travel to the city of Petra in search of the estranged family of the boy's recently deceased father. When they arrive, the discovery of the family's true identity puts both Cassia and her son in grave danger. While attempting to rescue her son, Cassia is joined by Julian, another recent transplant to Petra, who fled the Christian persecutions in Rome, and Malik, the elder of the Christian church in Petra, along with many of his flock. Cassia, desperate for love, and Julian, always searching for approval, both have much to learn from the situation and their encounters with Malik and the church. Eventually, Cassia learns that with the love of the one true God, she can love others from a position of strength...God's strength...rather than need, and Julian realizes that God's approval, rather than men's, is all he needs.

The book is an engaging blend of history, adventure, suspense, romance, and intense spiritual warfare. The ancient city of Petra comes alive under Ms. Higley's skillful pen. She obviously did her research, and has even more background and historical information available at her website. The characters are well-developed, effortlessly drawing the reader into the story. I loved the portrayal of the church in the early second century. It's easy to take for granted the relative freedom we have here and now to practice our faith. These believers (along with many others right down to the present day) risked their very lives just by being identified as followers of "The Way" and had to have an incredible trust in and reliance on God. I love how Malik instructs his flock to "love until they ask why", even in the face of opposition and persecution. We can all learn from their example.

I highly recommend Petra: City of Stone. It's an incredibly enjoyable read, especially if you like historical fiction in the same vein as the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers. You can even read the first three chapters online to see what you think. The Dancer, my oldest daughter, is reading it now and loving it. It's perfect since she's studying ancient cultures this year! I've already ordered two of Ms. Higley's previous titles, from her series on the Seven Wonders, to check out while we wait for the next installment in this new series.

Thanks so much to Julie Gwinn at B&H Publishing for sending a review copy to me!

I have always been fascinated by Petra and was anxious to see how the author would treat it. It was easy to see that she spent time there for the physical details were extraordinary. I felt like I was living in the city with the hero, Cassia. In this story Cassia arrives in Petra in the early 100AD's with her son looking for her dead husband's family. There she discovers that there was more to her husband than he told her, that his family is under the influence of evil. She also discovers the Church of Petra and struggles to understand the idea that strength is not gained from the inside but rather from the love of Jesus inside her. Cassia's fight to save her son from becoming an evil sacrifice while at the same time learning to trust Jesus is fraught with suspense and intrigue at every turn. The author has described the evil living in the palace and in the High Place in a breathtaking way that brings it alive in your mind and makes one wonder about today's examples. Definitely a book worth reading

This is an intriguing novel that does bring the people to life, exactly what I was hoping for. I bought Petra, City In Stone, because I want to know more about the people that have lived there over the centuries. I visited Petra last year and have studied it from just about every possible angle. I thought that reading about it in a novel might help put things into perspective a little better by putting "people" in all of those rock dwellings, tombs, etc. I wanted to visualize the people who were doing the carving.

Even though Petra is referred to in the Bible a number of times under several different names, there aren't many details about the people who lived there and how they lived. I have videos, books, maps, but nothing that made the people come to life the way this story has. The ending will stay with me!

"The truth, my child, always has enemies." (p. 180)

The truth of Christ's redemptive power has always been the target of the enemy. Tracy Higley explores this great spiritual battle in a dramatic way in her latest book, Petra: City in Stone. Cassia and her son Alexander enter this great battle quite unaware as they flee to Petra for refuge. Julian - an early followers of Christ - also flees to Petra as he seeks to escape the persecution of Rome and protect his family. Neither Julian nor Cassia could imagine what awaits them in the ancient city of stone.

I have enjoyed all of Tracy Higley's books immensely, but Petra is extra special. This story explores the natural state of all mankind and the resistance that comes against everyone when they try to follow Christ. Ancient Rome is infamous for their persecution of Christians, and Higley does a masterful job of recreating the lives of the first believers as they sought to do God's will in the face of such terror. Higley also captures the powerful ways that Christ and the Holy Spirit moved and worked in people's lives as they received the first letter from Paul and the encouragement of the early disciples.

Higley also explores the powerful way the love of Christ reaches out to followers of the pagan religions prominent in that day. I particularly enjoyed the way she develops characters who display realistic reactions to their first encounter with the early church and the followers of The Way. Without exception, all of the characters in this novel, both the main characters and the supporting roles, play a vital part in creating a realistic look into ancient Petra and the time of Rome's growing persecution.

As I said earlier, Petra City in Stone stands out in Higley's repertoire of stories. The plight of Cassia and Alexander is both gripping and suspenseful, as is Julian's realization of God's will for his life among the early Christians. More than that, Petra is a poignant reminder to all believers that they are engaged in a fierce spiritual battle, and that obedience to Christ often comes at a great price. May we all engage in this war as valiantly as Higley and her ancient characters!

Petra is destined to change lives! I really believe that! I can't recommend it highly enough!!

I would like to extend a heartfelt "Thank you" to T.L. Higley and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Petra: City of Stone" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

"Petra: City of Stone" is T.L. Higley's latest novel in her series chronicling the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This tale tells the story of two people running away from their painful lives: Julian, from Rome and certain death for his family who may be rounded up and sent to the Coliseum to entertain bloodthirsty Roman citizens because of their belief in Christ; Cassia from Damascus with her son Alex, escaping from a brutal husband to his estranged family. Both race to Petra, the carved rock capital city of the Arabian empire, in the hopes of a better life.

This incredibly suspenseful novel brings to life this ancient city and the believers of the first century church. Higley beautifully illuminates the time and the place so that the reader feels fully immersed in history. It is obvious that she does quite a bit of research to bring these novels to life. I find her books to be a fascinating way to learn a bit about history. This novel particularly opened my eyes to a place I never knew existed. I really enjoy a highly entertaining tale that educates as well.

I absolutely devoured this book. A beautifully vivid story of the early Christians in Petra and Rome. When Cassia arrives in Petra, she is shocked to learn that her son is heir to the throne. The ailing king's wife is an evil woman and an ardent follower of Dushuna (Zeus). Jealous, she will let nothing keep her own son from inheriting the throne of Petra.

Julian has escaped persecution in Rome and fled to Petra, hoping to distance himself from his calling to lead God's church. As his life merges with the Christians in Rome he realizes that God's will can't be avoided. And as he falls for Cassia, he realizes that his future is intertwined with hers.

When Alexander is taken from her and kept in the palace, Cassia discovers mysterious Christians, followers of Jesus who promise to help her rescue her son. As Cassia learns about friendship, she also learns about faith and that nothing can stop the power of God in the battle for good and evil.

Petra is a place that has always fascinated me and one I would love to visit. Tracy's descriptions of the people and place are vibrant and bold. This is a captivating, compelling story and one I can easily recommend.

This is the first in the Lost Cities series and I am looking forward to the rest. The next book is about Pompeii.

The year is 106 AD. Julian is a Roman citizen running from the persecution which has taken the lives of some dear fellow Christians. Cassia is a young mother seeking a new start with her beloved son. T.L. Higley presents us with another masterpiece of historical fiction, using her descriptive style and unique gift to make this ancient city come alive for us. You'll ride along with a caravan, climb Petra's sandstone steps, scout out the Nabataean palace and ache or cheer with our characters through this journey.

I was intrigued to see how Higley handled the spiritual aspect of a book written after Christ's coming. I have loved her novels set at the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and each of them has featured believers looking forward to the Redeemer. "Petra" has a wonderful focus on the early Church and those who claim the Jewish Messiah as their own. There is a powerful spiritual war ongoing throughout the novel, culminating in a Peretti-esque battle before it is all over. Petra's fate hangs in the balance as a new heir to the throne is discovered and the Roman army marches across the desert to overtake take them and bring them into their empire.

I strongly related to the character of Julian. Like Julian, I am an organizer, a natural leader, and by God's grace have a great deal of personal strength. Strength can be a weakness, though, when one believes they can live by their own power rather than letting the Lord guide. How often I've found myself in Julian's shoes, going strong on a plan I've devised on my own without seeking God's wisdom or will. To see where Higley takes our hero was like a personal challenge to myself. I really enjoyed it and have found myself recalling lessons learned in these past few days since finishing the book. It made an impact and that is the mark of great story-telling.

As ever, you know the historical side is covered well when you find yourself wanting to research the location and setting on your own! I've had some time to look things up, both on Higley's own NoPassportRequired website and other places, and everything I found seemed familiar because she had seamlessly included so many actual facts and references that I had assimilated much information just by reading the novel. You can't ask for more than that as a fan of this genre! Higley continues to be a favorite and I can't wait for her next release!

This was an insightful read relating to early Christianity within a marvelous city. The

concepts were interesting and entertaining at the same time.

Cassia and her son Alexander arrive in the city of Petra hoping for a new beginning in the wake of the death of Alexander's abusive father. Soon after arriving, Cassia is viciously attacked, but a rescue by people of the Way sets their lives on an unexpected course. When the Queen of Petra forces Alexander from Cassia's care and plots his death, Cassia must rely on her new friends and a God she's not sure she can trust to save herself and her son.

Weaving rich historical details with heart-pounding action, Higley has provided a captivating read. Petra is a masterpiece, and I greatly enjoyed this book from start to finish. I loved reading about a setting I've never even heard of before, the stone city of Petra, and the intense battle between the false gods and demons of Petra and the powerful name of Jesus was brilliantly written. Higley writes with grace and beauty, and has created an enjoyable cast of characters that I wish I could read more about.

I especially resonated with Julian's journey, his struggle to grow beyond his past to become who God has called him to be. I was convicted by Julian's thoughts, where he wonders "What would happen if he gave up his need for approval, if he walked away from the safety of praise and their admiration? If he rested in the acceptance gained through Jesus' death for him? Risked everything to answer the call to lead through humility to be a servant?" These are questions any of us would benefit from asking, to worry less about what others think of us, and instead respond to the call Jesus has on our lives.

I highly recommend this novel, and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

This review is based on an electronic copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley for the purpose of completing this review.