The Spirit Well
Ratings4
Average rating4.3
Enjoy books three, four, and five in Stephen Lawhead's Bright Empires series! The Spirit Well The Search for the Map—and the secret behind its cryptic code—intensifies in a quest across time, space, and multiple realities. The Shadow Lamp The quest for answers—and ultimate survival—hinges on finding the cosmic link between the Skin Map, the Shadow Lamp, and the Spirit Well. The Fatal Tree It started with small, seemingly insignificant wrinkles in time: A busy bridge suddenly disappears, spilling cars into the sea. A beast from another realm roams modern streets. Napoleon’s army appears in 1930s Damascus ready for battle. But that’s only the beginning as entire realities collide and collapse.
Series
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5 primary books#3 in Bright Empires
Bright Empires is a 5-book series with 5 released primary works first released in 2010 with contributions by Steve Lawhead and Stephen R. Lawhead.
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Just as I was getting comfortable in this tale, Lawhead introduces new characters and weaves new designs into his tale. Not in an annoying, cluttering of the tale or in some predictable form fiction fashion. The characters feel real rather than the typical two-dimensional, forgettable characters who never appear in real life. This is the third book in a five book series in which the timeline is important to understanding the story. I wouldn't recommend starting with this book nor would I recommend it to those who did not care for the first one or two. I do recommend this series to those who would enjoy a fun adventure across different times around the world with a number of protagonists and antagonists. I would also point out that Lawhead is a Christian. His faith can be seen in this story, but to this point it is subtle without overt attempts to convert the reader.
December 2015 update:
Since I have come into the habit of sharing what I do and don't like about the books I read, I may as well update this review after reading this book again.
What I liked:
- The exploration of the ideas of a multiverse in a way that is fresh. This isn't regurgitated from The Matrix or Star Trek.
- How Lawhead demonstrates the loss of ancient knowledge. We tend to think highly of ourselves in the modern era, but there are things that were once known that are now forgotten. Such as how to build pyramids without modern technology.
- I like the characters. This is purely subjective, but I really like the characters in this series. Historically, character development hasn't been one of Lawhead's strong suits, in my opinion.
What I didn't like:
- There isn't much I didn't like about this book. In my initial reading, the prehistoric part of the book dragged for me. This time, I read it in a different light and I loved it.
- I would like to see more internal conflict in the characters. Again, characters are not Lawhead's strong point.
I still love the book after reading it again and plan to visit this book and series again and again.
