Epiphany by Paul Harrington

• 

  available on Amazon

  Paperback: 356 pages

• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing; 1st edition (December 10, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 1439264880
• ISBN-13: 978-1439264881

reviewed by Jody Rakis

Epiphany is the story of three wise men, but not like you have ever imagined them. Paul Harrington has brought them to life with passion as they make their journey throughout the novel. They are the Arabian, kind and thoughtful. The Oriental, small, wise and quick witted. And the strong, dark fighter from Ethiopia, a loner. Each one so different from the next. They travel alone, distinct, and yet, through the magic of the star, with one purpose. The star is alive, compelling and full of God’s strength as it leads them they know not where.

The scenes come to life and you feel what is happening, see the looks on their faces and the thoughts in their hearts. You can feel the tension. It is a very moving book to read. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The scene where these three travelers meet in the middle of the desert, led there by the same star, is simple, and the first moment that I felt God’s presence. But not the last. It drew me in and I couldn’t put the book down until I finished it.

The wise men represented the beginning of our one universal church. They traveled from afar, as the song goes. But, other than their names, and gifts, that’s about all I could tell you about them. This fictional work brings to life three extraordinary kings, wizards, magi. True to history, it is alive with dark sides, sacrifice, and cruelty. It is as described in the Bible. Battles and torture were part of their untold story. The author takes your emotions through the love of God to hate and evils; of Roman soldiers serving an insane ruler and to good, loving, sharing people. Through all this the journey continues. When they cannot possibly continue, their faith in each other and in the magical star that is guiding them pulls them beyond human strength.

The story never lags, it holds you in its grasp and you follow the star along with these strange yet brave men and those that travel with them. The author’s words move with grace and wonder from one scene to the next quickly, never leaving you behind.

I look forward to future novels by Mr. Harrington.