The Master's Wall

Excellent Debut Novel!

The Master's Wall by Sandi Rog takes a unique approach to the historical fiction genre. The main characters are children as the book opens, and we experience the tragedies that impact who they are and who they will become. I was drawn in, wondering if David, the young Hebrew boy enslaved after his parents died for Christ, would continue to follow a God who didn't protect his family. How would the faith his parents had instilled in his heart grow in a pagan environment? And would Alethea ever come to know the God her father worshipped, even when it cost him his life? Especially when the man who sentenced her father to die is her grandfather and David's new master. The characters are flawed in a way that had me alternately rooting for them and frustrated by them. The descriptions of life for the slaves, women, children and masters in the Roman Empire were detailed enough to bring the story to life without bogging down the plot. The plot twists left me turning pages, stomach clenched with anticipation, wondering what would happen next and hopeful that things would eventually work out in the end. The ending both satisfied and left me wanting more.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Riveting

Sandi Rog did a fabulous job on her debut novel. Looking for a great story, set in bible times, and realistic? Look no further. Sandi has it all in this book. I won't go into what the stories about because several others have, but I can't say enough that if you are looking for a great story, you should read The Master's Wall. Sandi's characters come alive on the page and she'll keep you reading from the first to the last page

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

The Master's Wall by Sandi Rog

A powerful story of love, betrayal, and redemption set in the epic world of first century Rome. Beautifully written with a lyrical prose that keeps you on the edge with its action and drama, this is Sandi Rog's debut novel. Her lead characters, young Hebrew slave, David and spoiled, naive Roman, granddaughter of the master, Alethea, will capture your heart as you watch them grow up together. I fully recommend this book.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Must Read!

If you enjoy inspirational, historical fiction you will love this well-crafted novel. It's full of drama, tension, suspense and even a few unexpected twists. I can't wait for Rog to come out with the sequel.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Just Amazing!

This book was just amazing! I was a bit surprised to discover the main characters were children, but quickly got the point. This story is about the children of Christian martyrs in Rome and how their lives play out. David, son of Jewish parents, is taken into slavery, yet continues to spread the good news wherever he goes. Alethea is the granddaughter of a rich Roman, the murderer of her father and David's owner. As David makes sacrifice after sacrifice for Alethea, I see the prayers of her deceased father being answered upon the pages of this book through him. It truly touched me. When David grows into an exceptional warrior and Alethea is promised in marriage to a man she doesn't love, the stage is set for adventure and romance. The ending is full of wonderful twists. But through it all the aspect that shines brightest is the stunning portrait of the love of Christ.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Well Researched Biblical fiction, Fresh Characters

The Master's Wall
By Sandi Rog

From the publisher: He fights for his freedom. She fights for her life. Together they fight for each other.

Sandi Rog's novel about life in Rome during the first century of the Christian church is a captivating minutely-researched look into what might have been for the early believers.

David is a young boy who witnesses the abduction of his family by Roman soldiers in an attempt by the emperor to wipe out the fledgling, threatening religion. He is captured and sold as a slave to a wealthy family, where he grows up in the company of the patriarch's granddaughter, a sassy young girl named Alethea, whose father was put to death for his Christian faith. The murder, witnessed by Alethea, was carried out by her own grandfather. The youngsters are brought together through the pain of their circumstances, and not knowing who to trust, are drawn together in mutual comfort. Both are consumed with dreams of freedom beyond the great stone wall of the villa: David to find the little sister left behind and Alethea to find peace from the fear that her grandfather will also kill her. They spend hours there, David trapped by his sense of obligation and Alethea by her youth and sense of family.

David is chosen by the head slave, a man named Titus, to train as a soldier and gains a somewhat favored status in the household. Alethea, meanwhile, is promised in marriage to a young man with secrets and a streak of cruelty. If she has to marry, Alethea would prefer to marry her childhood friend, David. David lets Alethea know such a relationship would be impossible. As David matures, so does his faith. He is able to share the good news with many slaves both of his own household and others, but not with Alethea, who cannot accept the love of the same God who caused her father's death.

As the two mature they learn to love each other. But can that love withstand the secrets and betrayals they face?

Rog's adventure is sweetly written with fresh characters struggling with fear and temptation and faith in a realistic way. Her attention to detail sometimes took away from the story; for instance, I would have like to see a drawing of a Roman villa labeled with all the terms she uses, but it didn't keep out for long. Her portrayal of the determination of early Christians to learn and practice their new faith in the face of powerful old beliefs is a triumphant story everyone should read.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Highly Recommended-you should check it out!!!

This book was very good. I'm friend's with the author's daughter and I was overly amezed at how great this book was. It kept me in suspence. It was written exelent, great detail's, and amezing plot. It wasn't too predictable, but a very good book. If your into romance this is an excelent book for you. You will absolutly fall in love with the charecter's. It pull's you in and makes you feel like you are in the book. It's a great adventure. And i've never read a book twice, but I think I might just read this one again. Once you get into this book, you just can't put it down. This is a great book for boy's and girl's. Also good for young people and older people. I recomend for all.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Sandi Rog writes an interesting and original story set in the fi

Sandi Rog writes an interesting and original story set in the first century. The two main characters are energetic young people who become close friends - one the master's granddaughter, the other the master's slave.

Young David was sold as a slave at the age of 10. He's the son of Hebrews who believed in Yahshua and because of their faith they were killed. In the first century Christians were awfully persecuted. David kept the faith of his parents and starts telling other slaves about his God and a church was planted between the master's wall.

On David's first day at the master's villa he meets the master's granddaughter. Alethea is 7 years old and just saw her father get killed by the hand of her grandfather, because her father was a Christian.
Alethea is a feisty little girl. She reminds David of his little sister. He decides then that he will protect her.
A sweet friendships grows in the years that follow. They love to escape in the woods and have a secret place on top of the master's wall.

David lives a hard life. He is trained to be a juggler and warrior. He learns that his master is a hard man. He gets undeserved whippings, because of the lies of the master's family members. There are several opportunities for David to escape, but Alethea is the reason that he never runs away. She needs him to protect her from her selfish family.

At the age of 11 Alethea was betrothed to a man she didn't love and didn't desire to marry. She wants to marry David, but a marriage between a master's granddaughter and a slave is impossible. She prays to David's God for a way to marry David.
Is there a way then? Will God answer such a prayer?

The Master's Wall is full of action and has plenty of twists and turns. I also learned a lot of historical facts. I didn't like so much to read about the whippings and beatings, but those things really happened back then. It only added to the reliability. The more I read of this story the more I liked it. I'm looking forward to read more of Sandi's books!

Great Read!

Master's Wall was a GREAT read. The characters are well developed and are believable in their struggle. Their dependence on God in trying circumstances is an encouragement to the reader. Well Done and thanks for the story!

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.