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New Star

By Lana Christian

Description:

AKILAH, a highly respected priest-scholar in Magi society, considers all his astronomy discoveries well-deserved stepping-stones to a more fulfilling life. But the appearance of an elusive star challenges his priorities. As Persia totters on the brink of an undesirable king coming to power, Akilah declines a position that could turn that tide. Instead, he studies a star that doesn’t appear in any almanac or religious writings. Except Jewish.

When he and his colleagues uncover a few Jewish prophecies linking the star to an eternal king, Akilah becomes the target of Persia’s religious and governmental conflicts. Jailed for crimes he didn’t commit, Akilah must rely on questionable resources to free himself and reach Jerusalem.

Persia’s purists aren’t the only ones bent on keeping their country free of Jewish influences. As dangers at home and abroad plunge Akilah and his colleagues into three countries’ religious conflicts and circumstances beyond their imagining, Akilah realizes his knowledge of Jesus could potentially destroy Magi society and its power over Persia’s official religion and government. Untrusting of his Council, a thousand miles from aid, and bound to a potentially career-ending contract with his cousin Farzaneh, Akilah must decide how far he will go to protect what he knows of Jesus—and whether the cost of his belief is worth the risk.

Book Takeaway:

Faith doesn't always travel in a straight line, but it's worth the risk and cost to know more about Jesus.

Awards:

Year Title Description
2019 ACFW Genesis semifinalist, novella category
2019 ACFW First Impressions semifinalist, historical fiction category
2019 ACFW First Impressions winner, novella category
2021 Bethany House Aspiring Author Award
2021 University of Northwestern Distinguished Faith in Writing Award
2021 Minnesota Christian Writers Guild Written Word Award, first runner-up

Why the author wrote this book:

To tell the Wise Men's story. They're cloaked in tradition that's not based on fact. This story is true to the biblical narrative, as well as the cultural, religious, and governmental milieus they lived in--which makes it that much more astonishing that they'd embark on something so countercultural and counterintuitive as attempting to find Jesus.

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