The End of the Magi Book Review

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The End of the Magi

by Patrick W. Carr

Christian Historical Fiction
Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 384 Pages
November 5th 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

I received this book free to review; however, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive compensation at no cost to you.

Centuries before the magi arrived in Bethlehem, a prophecy sets a young magus on his path . . .

Following his vision of the coming Messiah, the prophet Daniel calls forth a select group of men who will count down the calendar until the arrival of Israel’s promised king. Centuries later, as the day draws near, Myrad, a young magi acolyte, flees for his life when his adoptive father and others are slain by a ruthless Parthian queen.

Equipped with very little, in haste Myrad escapes the city and, searching for a way to hide from the soldiers scouring the trade routes, tries to join the caravan of the merchant Walagash. The merchant senses that Myrad is keeping secrets, but when the young man proves himself a valuable asset, an epic journey filled with peril, near captures, and dangerous battles begins.

With every day that passes, the calendar creeps closer to the coming Messiah. And over everything shines the dream of a star that Myrad can’t forget, and the promise that the world will never be the same.

Praise for the Book

“Carr retells the story of the Magi in this bustling biblical adventure . . . . Myrad’s divine vision of the star and his arduous trek battling his own physical problems to pay homage to the Messiah capture the majesty of biblical narratives and will appeal to Christians well versed in scripture.”–Publishers Weekly

“Patrick Carr brings us a captivating tale in The End of the Magi. Based on the Holy Bible, he weaves a fictional tale of the adventures of a group of magi from the east looking for the Messiah. Myrad is a strong main character even though he doesn’t see himself as strong. He has great character traits and these help him find triumph over tragedy. . . . The End of the Magi is a great holiday read and gives us much to think about in our journey to know God better.”–Fresh Fiction

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My review of The End of the Magi

I hope that the Christmas season is a season you use to grow closer to Christ, who is the reason for the season. Yes, we know He wasn’t born December 25, but it’s not the day that is important. What’s important is that Christ was born. His birth fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. And the Old Testament is where The End of the Magi begins.

It begins with Daniel’s prophecy from God regarding the time the Messiah would come and the magi were given the task of counting the days. The End of the Magi is a book that will really give you a new understanding of the magi. When you think of the magi, you probably think of “We Three Kings” and gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I am a Christian, I was raised in a Christian home and attended Christian school, yet that’s what I think of too. I picture camels carrying the three wise men across the desert to offer gifts to the new king…like that was their job. It wasn’t.

The magi were much more than I ever thought they were. Though this is Christian historical fiction, the magi were real. Though much of the story is based on the author’s imagination, much of it is not. I enjoyed reading this story about Myrad, the magi, Walgash (whom I pictured as Sallah in Raiders of the Lost Ark!), and the entire cast of characters. Their journey throughout the book isn’t just a physical journey; it’s a spiritual journey for many of the characters as well.

I loved so many things about The End of the Magi. The facts I’d never known, the things I’d never imagined…it made me think. This is a book you’ve got to read. I think it will take you deeper in your understanding of just how perfect God’s plan is. I wish that I could convey all of the feelings The End of the Magi left me with. Read it, and you’ll understand.

About the author

Patrick W. Carr is the author of the acclaimed fantasy series The Staff and the Sword. A Cast of Stones won the 2014 Carol Award for Speculative Fiction and the 2014 Clive Staples Award. A Cast of Stones and The Hero’s Lot were both finalists for 2014 Christy Awards. He teaches high school math and makes his home in Nashville, Tennessee, with his incredible wife, Mary, and their four sons.

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Enter the giveaway ENDED

– One winner will receive a print copy of The End of the Magi and a $20 B&N gift card
– Four winners will each receive a print copy of The End of the Magi
– US only
– Ends November 29, 2019

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