Review: The 13th Tribe by Robert Liparulo

The 13th Tribe, by  Robert Liparulo
Reviewed by: Lori Twichell
Genre: Christian Fiction/Supernatural
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: April 3, 2012

Life is short. We all understand that we are but a whisper of breath against the wind when it comes to the longevity of our existence. However, what if that weren’t the case? What if God made an extraordinary decision that allowed a small group of people to live…indefinitely? Jagger Baird is about to find out.

Hired to do security for an archaeological dig near Mt. Sinai, Jagger is ready for a change of pace. After losing his best friend and his arm in a terrible car accident, Jagger needs to get away from the United States. He battles with the pain of losing his friend (and his friend’s family) and he’s also wrestling with his faith. The common questions that follow grief plague Jagger relentlessly. He doesn’t understand how God could let that happen or where God is during heart wrenching times of grief. The only thing keeping him together is the love and support he receives from his wife and son.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, events are in motion that are about to swamp Jagger and the only peace he’s had since the accident.

I was first introduced to Robert Liparulo’s writing when I read the entire Dreamhouse Kings series. The books were imaginative, creative and in many places stressful enough that I felt like I was watching an old- fashioned horror movie. I’m so excited to be able to say that nothing has changed since I read those books.

Liparulo’s writing style and characters are tremendously sharp in this book. In an odd twist of fate lifted directly from the greatest bestseller of all time, (the Bible) Robert Liparulo ties our current modern times to the past in a fascinating and impressive new way. It didn’t take long for me to end up completely immersed in this story. In fact, at one point I was so involved that I had a difficult time pulling myself back out enough to remember it wasn’t real. I can say that this happens to me very rarely. In fact I don’t recall it ever happening to me before.

With Biblical foundations, action that will take your breath away (and might even make you light headed – seriously) and characters that you can’t help but care about, this book easily earns the title of not only page turner but exceptional, extraordinary and astounding. I absolutely loved the storylines that Liparulo so carefully crafted. There is even a twist at the end that boggles the mind.

This book left me reeling with excitement and filled with expectation for what he’s going to do with these characters next. The Immortal Files series looks to be a promising ride – and this is only the beginning. The 13th Tribe will work for fans of military stories, history buffs, action and adventure and science fiction.

Rated PG13: There’s some violence in this book, but it’s not over the top. The biggest part of it that affected me was the emotions Liparulo wrapped around the violent scenes.

Book provided by the publisher. Thank you!