She escaped a past of danger and found respite in beautiful Ephesus, a trading center on the Aegean coast, serving as tutor to Lucas, the wealthy merchant who rescued her.
But the darkness she fled has caught up with her.
The high priests of Artemis once controlled the city, but a group of sorcerers are gaining power. And a strange group who call themselves followers of The Way further threaten the equilibrium. As Daria investigates Lucas s exploits into the darker side of the city, her life is endangered, and she takes refuge in the strange group of believers. She s drawn to Paul and his friends, even as she wrestles with their teachings.
When authorities imprison Lucas for a brutal crime, Daria wonders if even Paul s God can save him. Then she uncovers a shocking secret that could change everything Lucas s fate, her position in his household, and the outcome of the tension between pagans and Christians. But only if she survives long enough to divulge what she knows.
My Take: I am a big fan of Tracy Higley because she makes history come alive. I can feel the elbows and shoulders pressing into me as she fights the crowds. I can imagine the tall columns of the temple, the smell of people and animals . . . She describes everything in a very powerful way.
The characters are complex and interesting. I like watching them grow and learn -- the evolution of their beliefs and motivations. I can relate to them as well. Lucas - driven by his desire to assuage his own guilt and exact revenge for the death of his wife and child. Daria trying to make a secure place for herself, to understand and control the world around her, and to know whether the darkness in Lucas is something she can save him from. They both struggle with their ideas about faith and the groups vying for control over the people.
This was a great story that will stay in my memory for a long time. I want to thank Thomas Nelson for providing my copy in exchange for this honest review.
