Even after all the other magi have left for a feast, Ramates continues hunting the elusive white leopard. But his hunt is interrupted when he sees a new star, shining in the Virgin’s bosom.
Ramates is overjoyed at the chance to finally make a name for himself as a stargazer and rushes to the temple to make an official sighting–only to find the prized white leopard already dead along his way, shot by another man’s arrow.
Thus begins Daniel Gilbert’s tale of the magistenes search for Shoshia–the deliverer foretold by the cult of Belteshazzar.
Magi is rich with cultural and historical details of the Parthian (Persian) religious and political world–and of how the Parthians interacted with Rome. The reader will learn historically accurate information about how the Parthians buried their dead versus how the Romans did, how crucifixions were carried out and why, how kings were anointed in ancient Persia, and how caravans traveled through the ancient world.
I loved this aspect of Magi.
Other parts were less exciting.
The author sounds like a scholar (which he is). He gives careful attention to historical details, but his attention to the craft of writing fiction is rather less impressive.
The author gives each character a name (including the guy who opens the door at the inn), and expects that the reader will remember every name and the position of the individual (even if the only way he figures into the story is that he opened a door.) This makes it difficult to keep the characters straight–and even more difficult to figure out what people or interactions are truly important to the story. Further more, the point of view jumps from one character to another willy-nilly making it hard to figure out whose head you’re inside at any given time.
I could tell that the author had a grand scheme of developing the main character Ramates throughout the book. Ramates is eager for fame, even willing to take fame that does not belong to him. He must learn humility as he travels to pay tribute to the newborn king. All this is good. I think it’s a brilliant idea, but the author falls short of producing a natural transformation. Instead of experiencing Ramates’ soul and watching his transformation, we remain outside, noting clinically that apparently a transformation has occurred.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this book. A lot. But it was for the cultural details, not for the character development or writing style.
Rating:3 Stars
Category:Historical Fiction
Synopsis:After discovering a new star, Ramates must learn humility as he travels to pay tribute to the long-prophesied deliverer.
Recommendation: If you enjoy reading about historical and cultural details, you’ll enjoy this book. If you’re looking for a story to pull you in and a character to identify with, this probably isn’t going to cut it.