LitPick Review
The Crossing
Sometimes even the most beautiful and sought-after things in life are not what they seem. Maryam, the main character in Mandy Hagar’s new novel, The Crossing, has learned that the hard way. Raised to be a servant to the Apostles of the Lamb, or a Holy Sister, since she was a child, Maryam is overjoyed that the time has finally come for her to be sent to the Holy City where she is to live the rest of her days in peace and harmony serving the LORD through his apostles. She knows not of the terrors that are about to befall her. It turns out that things in the holy city are more sinister than she expected. The Apostle twists the texts of the Bible to cater to their own selfish needs while abuse, conspiracies, and secrets lurk behind every door. And the young Holy Sisters, including Maryam, are used for one thing: to produce as many children as possible with or without their consent. Those who are believed not to be strong enough are used for blood transfusions, unwillingly giving their blood to their Apostles and offspring until they perish. Maryam is unknowingly selected for the latter. Once she discovers what really happens in the Holy City, however, she is determined to escape. Using the help of her few friends, Maryam escapes from the City and is determined to find the truth. As she sets out on her journey with nothing but courage and determination, she must turn her back on everything she has believed and find the strength to make herself her own.
“The blood they stole to give to you was not from her” She….. raised her arm, bearing the incriminating bandage. “It came straight from me.”
Opinion:
This book was a breath of fresh air for me. Hagar has defiantly come up with an original and innovative idea. I was a little confused with the plot and who’s who at the beginning, but as the book went on I figured it out. I love how Hagar portrayed Maryam as a strong and willful individual, yet gave her a certain vulnerability that made you want to cheer her on to victory. This book was exciting but not too faced paced, edgy without being intrusive, and had plenty of new twists that kept me guessing. This book captures the feeling of deception and conspiracy, with the underlying rage and anger just below the surface. I also felt the supporting characters played a big role in this book’s plot, giving it depth and personality. All in all, I felt this novel was a success and encourage you to read it!
“The singing and the crush of people amplified around her….she cast about, desperate for some whom might ease her plight. But now she was falling….”
I would recommend this book for mature readers and young adults, as this novel had some sexual situations and references, yet no profanity to speak of.
Faced with the consequences of turning her back on everything she believes, will Maryam be able to escape the dreaded and merciless Apostles and find out the truth…..alive? You’ll have to read Mandy Hagar’s new novel, The Crossing, to answer that question?
Note: This book is the first installment of the Blood of the Lamb Trilogy. If you are interested in reading the other installments, the second novel is called Into the Wilderness and the third, Resurrection.
