Healer of Carthage by Lynne Gentry Book Review

// Healer of Carthage //

 

The Carthage Chronicles // Book 1

 

By Lynne Gentry

 

{Review By Bethany}

Number of Pages: 416
ISBN: 1476746338

Publisher: Howard
Released: March 4th, 2014
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

 

// Book Synopsis //

 

Taken from GoodReads.com

 

"A modern-day doctor gets trapped in third-century Carthage, Rome, where she uncovers buried secrets, confronts Christian persecution, and battles a deadly epidemic to save the man she loves.Dr. Lisbeth Hastings, a first-year resident, is summoned by her eccentric father to join him at his archaeological dig. She is hesitant to accept his invitation, but when a tragic mistake ends her medical career, Lisbeth decides the only way to redeem her failure is to care for her confused father.

While exploring the haunting cave at her father’s dig, Lisbeth falls through a hidden hole and awakens to find herself the object of a slave bidding war! She tries to escape her captor, a wealthy Roman lawyer named Cyprian Thascius, and discovers that the city she remembers as ruins has somehow become brand-new. Who restored Carthage to a thriving metropolis? And if she is in the third century, how did this happen?

Cyprian believes God called him to rescue the beautiful and strange woman being auctioned off as a slave. He doesn’t understand why saving the church of his newfound faith requires him to love a mysterious woman who seems determined to get him killed by her stubbornness. But who is he to question God?

Their colliding worlds spark an intense attraction as Lisbeth and Cyprian soon find themselves united in a battle against a deadly epidemic. Together they confront Christian persecution, uncover buried secrets, and witness the beginnings of a medical revolution, but they fear Roman wrath will separate them forever. Will Lisbeth save the man she loves and the family she longs for—or will their separate worlds pull them apart forever?"

 

// Bethany's Book Review //

 

Be sure and fastened your seat belts, because author Lynne Gentry will take you on a fast-paced, exciting ride back in time to third century Carthage, Rome. Brace yourself to take part in a thrilling journey with doctor Lisbeth Hastings, as she puts her medical training to good use when helping the people of Rome, when a deadly sickness causes many to die in Carthage. Filled with lots of twists and turns, fast paced action and excitement, and a lot of heart; this ride is sure to delight all historical fiction fans-leaving you eager for the next trip to Carthage!

 

I had never heard of this author, but when I had the opportunity to review her newest book Healer of Carthage, after reading the synopsis and seeing that this book had potential I decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I did, as I think this book will make it to my favorite list of books read this year! It reminded me a lot of the popular young adult fiction River of Time series by Lisa Bergren, which is also a time travel series. But, Healer of Carthage had a unique doctor/medical aspect which made the book all the more enjoyable.

 

This book is pure action, and is so fast paced and exciting, that there was never a dull moment, and I had no problem turning pages! The plot was written very nicely, and flowed easily. I really enjoyed seeing the true Lisbeth come out during the trying time of traveling back in time to ancient Rome, with no idea of how to return to the current world. I loved seeing her grow and mature in her worldview and how her perspectives changed after going back in time; and I loved seeing how she changed and started making the most of the time she was given. As well as the other valuable life lessons she learned during her time in Carthage.

 

And then there is Cyprian. For sure he is my favorite character, though I really liked Lisbeth too. This guy was a model Christian, and I loved his courage for standing up for what he believed in and how his Christianity effected his choices. I thought it was neat how many of the main characters in this novel, including Cyrian were real people who actually lived during the third century in Rome, and thought that was a neat aspect of the book. He was such a strong sturdy Christian character that I really admired and respected, and I can't wait to see more of him in the second book in this series!

 

Another thing I loved about this novel was the historical detail, and getting to view it through 21st-century Lisbeth's eyes. There were lots of historical details that were interesting to read about, and it was obvious that this author did her research. I felt like I learned a lot, and got a good idea of third century Roman life through reading this book. 

 

Due to some mature content including detailed injuries/violence with the Romans and their persecution of Christians, coliseum scenes, as well as some mature marital content and a lady who's body is in slavery to a man who misuses her, I'd recommend younger readers read with caution as some of the scenes are a bit detailed. I felt like at times the author wrote these mature scenes with descriptive details, and would only recommend this book to mature readers, around the ages of 16+.

 

This is definitely an interesting novel from a new-to-me author that has a unique writing style that I've not read anything like before, and I'm super excited about the next book in The Carthage Chronicles series, Return to Exile! I highly recommend this book to fans of Lisa Bergren's River of Time series, or fans of time travel and historical fiction novels!

 

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a free copy of Healer of Carthage from the publisher for the sole purpose of this review. I was not paid to write this review. All thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own, honest and unbiased.