Albert is on a faith-driven mission to stop a curse that has become flesh and threatens humanity. Intriguing, heart-racing story filled with Christian principles and hope.
Title: The Lion’s Curse
Author: CE Ayers III
Genre(s): Christian Fantasy Fiction
Word Count: 150,000
Publisher: Bookbaby
Publication Date: 4/4/2024
Summary: Albert is on on a faith-driven mission to stop a curse that has become flesh and threatens humanity. With aid from his daughter, Albert travels to Africa where he meets Clark (CK) Kenton who will act as their guide through the treacherous wilds of Africa. After the loss of a traveling companion, the curse is released sending Albert and his companions in a race against time for the sake of humanity.
My Review:
Albert, a professor of archaeology and ancient African history, is on a faith-driven mission to stop a tribal voodoo curse. Leading a team of professionals and citizens alike, Albert must cross continents and countries to prevent the cursed creature whose thirst for humanity’s destruction drives the world toward ruin. Leon, a youthful man who only desires a moment of peace, finds himself in the fight of his life as he navigates a racially charged world and an unforeseen threat with no hope of victory.
Through the slower pacing of the story, the reader receives a deeper outlook of each of the characters as they grow and evolve throughout their journey. The diverse characters stay true to individual cultures while navigating obstacles and situations. Author Clarence Ayers does not hold back as he explores racial tension and its challenges as he successfully crafts a work that evokes a strong emotional response from the reader. The romantic subplot leaves something to be desired, as there are moments within the romance that feel contrived; however, the romance does serve a purpose.
From the bright, golden streets that wind through Heaven’s gates to the sweltering heat of lush jungles of Africa, and the concrete jungle of crowded Chicago, Ayers crafts a compelling world. Ayers does an excellent job of personifying spiritual and supernatural concepts. There is a moment where the curse is “made flesh” and the creature is too big for its space and must escape. The clarity of the writing creates no issues for the reader to visualize every nook and cranny as an escape is made possible. A second scene that is extremely compelling (and will live rent-free in my head forever) is when the creature is on a hunt and destroys a vehicle as though playing with a cat toy. Many memorable moments in this story.
Overall, this story evokes a strong response from me as a reader. Ayers crafts an intriguing story as the graphic action creates the feeling of horror and he shares his message of Christianity as a tangible ideal. I would recommend this book.
ARC received from Reedsy.com