The emotional tenor is somber as well. The events surrounding the Reformation are dark and violent as many Christians pay with their lives to bring the word of God to light. There is such compromise and weakness in the lives of each character that while realistic, proves heavy reading at times. Towards the end of Anne Boleyn’s life Garrett speeds up the timeline – a small blessing considering the heart-rending depictions of Henry’s betrayal as his fickle heart turns away from her.
Garrett has a gift for portraying complex and flawed men. Her depictions of Sir Thomas More and King Henry VIII are remarkable. More is both kind, gentle and charitable while enacting sadistic acts of torture on those who oppose him. Henry is a lion of a man, hearty and full of life, with a lust for the flesh and full of self. It is these believable, blended characters who create the haunting uncertainties and lack of clear delineation found in this title.
Adding to the unique character of her books is the inclusion of angels. These fearsome, strange guardians more closely represent the glimpses given in scripture than do the porcelain figurines with long flowing hair. These spiritual creatures serve to connect past and present as our modern day editor types the divinely revealed history and serve as protectors for those they watch over.
Any reader with an interest in British history, the Reformation and the birth of the Bible will appreciate this immersion into those tumultuous times (specifically London, 1526–1536). In the Shadow of Lions is the first in a new series Chronicles of the Scribe. Ginger Garrett will continue to delve into historical fiction; re-imagining the lives of prominent women with an eye for God’s purposes and plan woven through history. I look forward to reading more of Garrett’s fresh perspective on pivotal events throughout Christian history.
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