The Master's Wall (Iron & the Stone) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 5 stars

“I’m thankful to have received a review copy of this author’s powerful debut novel. Sandi Rog takes the reader on an amazing, colorful journey through history to the first century Rome, AD 76, a time when Christians risked their lives to meet together and share the gospel.

Sandi hooked me from the first page, “David tried not to cry, tried not to breathe or make a sound as he crept along the dark street… he followed the enemy. There were three of them. And they had taken his parents.”

I felt for young David as he watched the horrific scene of his parents being tortured to death. He tried to stop them but they were too big. They beat on him and left him for dead. When he awoke he found himself in a place he never dreamed he could be.

“A slave?...David had known slaves. But never had he imagined what it might mean to be one. He was to be bound to a master, to obey and do his every will” No longer free. How could this have happened?

Alethea’s a feisty, curious, little girl who gets in trouble a lot and doesn’t think twice about sharing what’s on her mind! Alethea loved to explore, stands up for what she believes in and has a vivid imagination. But this little girl’s heart is heavy; she’s lost the love of her life. She still has nightmares of seeing her dad murdered in the middle of the night. A night she should have been in bed.

Alethea noticed a slave named David has started to work at their house. She is determined to talk to him; even if it was forbidden to do so and could be punished. He looked kind and she needed a friend.

Alethea reminded David of his younger sister. He doesn’t know he wasn’t supposed to talk to her. David’s obedience, faith and courage are tested over and over; as he adjusts to the rules of a slave. He dreams of freedom but God has challenged him to share the gospel, his love and forgiveness to the people who have mistreated him.

My eyes were glued to the book as the story reached the climatic conclusion. I felt like I had my heart in my throat. I was clueless as to how this creative, sensitive author would bring this unbelievable story to an end. There were definitely twists, turns and a few surprises in store for the reader right up until the end. I love learning about history through this novel. It gave me a deep understanding of Roman culture and helped me get into the mind set of early believers.
I cared for David and Alethea and their unique situation. Sandi pens a vivid, heart wrenching story filled with great pain, loss, hope, second chances, honest emotions, forgiveness, and sacrificial love. These characters and their stories will be on your mind and in your heart long after you finish the last page. I highly recommend this historical fiction novel. I’m looking forward to reading the second book in the Iron and the Stone series. You will too!

NOTE TO READER: The first week of November, Sandi was diagnosed with Type A lymphoma --a very aggressive cancer that was manifesting on her brain. For every copy of The Master's Wall that is purchased, either paperback or Kindle, her publisher will donate a dollar to the fund to help her family with the medical bills. To order Sandi’s book click this link http://deward.com/?p=1111


Nora St. Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
Finding Hope Through Fiction www.psalm516.blogspot.com

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The Book Club Network - Nora wrote this review Thursday, November 18, 2010.