Exiled from their homes in Chiveis, Teo and Ana, heroes of Bryan Litfin's The Sword, venture into the wider world. In book 2 of Litfin's Chiveis Trilogy, The Gift, the pair ventures south, in search of knowledge of Deu and his New Testament. In this post-apocalyptic world, Christianity has been nearly wiped out, and the Bible is barely known.
Facing peril and evil, as well as their own struggles, they find that they did not leave behind anti-Christianism in Chiveis. Though the nature of the religious persecution may be different in these lands unknown to them, it is effective and relentless. In spite of persecution, however, some faithful remain. Like the pair from Chiveis, these believers seek the New Testament as well, hoping for a better understanding of the faith they try to follow.
Teo, the soldier, continues his acts of derring-do and sacrificial heroism on behalf of Ana, whose penchant for getting into pickles is exceeded only by her alluring beauty. Despite their clear compatibility and destiny together, she keeps Teo at arm's length, sometimes to her peril. They are both tested, yet both maintain a desire to learn move about Deu.
The Gift, like The Sword, is first a thrilling adventure story with evil villains, narrow escapes, and main characters with heroic, yet believable, personalities. I have to admit, Litfin drew me in. While reading The Gift, I enjoyed the story while skeptically criticizing elements of it. But with The Gift, my disbelief completely suspended as the story progressed. And even more than The Sword, The Gift raises questions about how we might respond to a gospel about which we knew as little as these believers knew.
I'm not saying The Gift is without its problems, but it's certainly a fun book with lots going for it. I won't waste any time getting into book 3.
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