David Galloway can’t die. How many lifetimes can God expect one man to live? Over a century old, David Galloway isolates himself from the mortal humans who die or desert him by making a quiet life as a used bookstore owner in Northern Michigan. But then he spots a news article about a man who, like him, should be dead. Daredevil celebrity Zachary Wilson walked away unscathed from what should … unscathed from what should have been a deadly fall. David tracks the man down, needing answers. Soon David discovers a close-knit group of individuals as old as he is who offer the sort of kinship and community he hasn’t experienced for decades–but at what cost?
David finds himself keeping secrets other than his own. . .protecting more than himself alone. He’ll have to decide what’s worth the most to him–security or community. When crimes come to light that are older than any mortal, he fears the pressure is more than he can stand. What does God require of him, and is David strong enough to see it through?
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“Love? Will You truly give me love again? A bird long asleep in his soul opened its eyes and gave a quiet trill. Perhaps in time, it could relearn to sing.”
Incredible. This is the first book by Amanda G Stevens I have read and I am blown away. From the blurb, I knew to expect something speculative with a hint of sci fi. I did not expect such beautiful writing, an intensely suspenseful plot, and such a strong component of faith, hope, and grace in the book. Anyone who enjoys a well-written contemporary novel that is outside-the-box would absolutely love this novel.
The writing style is lyrical, poignant, and haunting with a bit of melancholy. The dialogue is intelligent, witty, and clever. It is a third-person narrative told from David’s perspective and he is such a wonderful hero. He’s thoughtful, kind, gentle, loyal, loving, and strong yet with plenty of faults and past mistakes that cause him heartaches and nightmares. He is a farmer who loves the land, a trained soldier who served in multiple wars, a lover of books, a gifted musician, and a follower of Jesus. David is deeply layered and complicated and learning about him as he learned more about himself throughout the book was a pleasurable journey. Tiana is an amazing woman who is able to overcome obstacles to support David and her faith is admirable as she points out David’s misconceptions in the life he’s been living.
The suspense in the plot is gasp-worthy. The twists and turns in the story made me unable to put the book down. The hint of romance in the story is sweet and soul-stirring. And David’s century-old faith is achingly beautiful and so real. Seeing a man from the nineteenth century pray and share Scripture with a modern-day woman deeply impacted my own spiritual eyes to remind me that our God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
I’m hoping for a sequel to this book since it did leave some loose ends unaddressed….but, even if there isn’t one, the book is absolutely a worthy read that will leave you pondering long after the last page is finished.
I was given a complimentary copy of the book from Barbour Publishing through BookishFirst. I was not required to write a favorable review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and subjective.
One of the most beautiful “What if” books I’ve ever read. Amanda G. Stevens takes an impossible premise and makes it an undeniable reality from the first page to the last.
Using beautiful prose that never once becomes heavy-handed, Stevens weaves a tale of life, loss, and both the sting of death and the pain that comes when it doesn’t. David Galloway found a place in my heart, rooted himself in there, and refuses to move. Just as I wondered if he’d gone too far for me to manage–to deal with, Stevens turned a page and showed another chapter of his life that I couldn’t help but embrace.
David’s spiritual arc was just as poignant and encouraging as his emotional and character arcs. This is a deeply emotional book that holds your hopes, fears dreams, and uncertainties hostage until the last page. Then it hands them back, without apology, and asks, “What are you going to do with them?”
This is “The Doctor” as a regenerating human in a world with just a few others like him–with God still on the throne, prayer still in play, faith still moving mountains.
When I started the book, I had no idea it was part of a series. Book two is on its way to me. How could I not keep going? I have so much more to learn.
This author got very deep and wrote characters that really leave you contemplating.
Got this book out of curiosity to see how the writer could follow this premise in a Christian vein. Pleasantly astonished by how good the book was. Great writing. Great story line. Great characters. Completely believable premise for how everything came to pass. Nothing happens as expected, and yet it all continues to work together amazingly well. I highly recommend this book. I’ll be looking for more by this author.
Not your normal Christian book. Made me expand my thinking and reminded me of how much I don’t know about how God may work.
Good book. Sci-fi and mysterious
Strange book. Never heard of anything like this.
Unexpected….. thought provoking… unique take on a semi rare look at the possibility beyond us. My mind was kept racing. My reader is dying of old age..I had to download it 3 times just to complete it….worth it for an ending that will left me thinking!
I liked this book. Though I wasn’t expecting a look at possible immortality, the author handled it well. The premise of discovering there are others like you had a refreshing twist. I also appreciated the main character being a pious soul not depicted as a lunatic.
The one thing that seemed totally unnecessary was the cameo of future antagonists. This did nothing for the story. Overall, an interesting read from an author I will keep track of.
An interesting read. A mixture of fantasy and Christianity! Humans and other non-worldlies A doctor who comes up with a serum that makes a certain few not able to die! I never thought of this before and pretty sure not a possibility! And. That I wouldn’t want to be one of them either!
Surprising outlook on life and death.
Unusual read but I loved it!
Different kind of book. Probably should be a movie!
A wonderful Christian fantasy! (I’ve never read one like it before!) I bit gory at one point. Thought-provoking, clean.
Great story line. Captivating. Great characters.
This book was called Christian fiction. I personally disagree. I think it’s more science fiction.
This was a very different kind of story —nothing that I had expected –but kept you on your toes–wondering what would happen next. Very different –I liked it very much. Dolores Youngblood
A new twist on living forever…what if one of the “good guys” is a bad guy?
I wasn’t ready for it to end!!
I loved this book and didn’t want it to end. I hope Amanda writes a sequel.