It’s the end of October and time for another book review brought to you by the CSFF Blog Tour (Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy for those still trying to remember the acronym :)). This month we are reviewing The Skin Map by Stephen R. Lawhead. I would highly encourage you to click on the book link. An awesome book trailer opens up the website and explains the premise of the book more than I could ever do justice to. But just in case you want me to try and explain anyway, here I go!
Ley Lines: unexplainable forces of energy around our world that allow a person to jump through time and dimensions. Kit Livingstone possesses the gift to make these jumps. But jumping can be dangerous. You never know if you’ll end up in a tiger filled jungle or on the battlefield. You need a map to help you know where to go.
Such a map exists, tattooed onto the body of a man who has mapped out these times and dimensions. This map is priceless and sought by everyone who knows of its existence. Some of those searching for it are willing to do anything to obtain it, even murder.
Cool Factor: I had briefly heard of ley lines before reading this book. This book brings those ideas to life. The thought that there are other dimensions of our world, shaped by choices we did not make in this world are fascinating. What if the Confederates won the Civil War? What if Luther had never protested the Catholic Church? What would our world look like then? (these are not mentioned in the book, I just mention them to illustrate what dimensions of our world could look like. Stephen uses examples of British history changed in his book).
Along with different dimensions are different times. Sixteenth century Prague. Ancient Egypt. Our modern times. How would you cope if you were thrown into another time? Wilhelmina (who became my favorite character in this book) faces this obstacle when she follows Kit through a ley line and ends up in Sixteenth century Prague alone. I was rooting for her as she faced her fears of being in a different time period and making the best of it (she came up with a Kaffe House and being a coffee fan, I loved reading her chapters how she survives by introducing coffee to Europe).
Tomorrow I will take a look at the Writing Factor. Until then, click on the links below to see what other CSFF Bloggers are saying about The Skin Map:
Christian Fiction Book Reviews
In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
Morgan L. Busse 
Yes, the ley lines are definitely the “cool” factor–no story without them, they are that fundamental.
Look forward to what else you’ll have to say, Morgan.
Becky
I love Stephen Lawhead, I am so looking forward to reading this book! I’m not used to him doing the “time and space” hopping thing, so it will be interesting to see how he handles that. He’s my go-to guy for fiction I know I will enjoy. that said, I really need to read his Scarlet one of these days!