Edward JF Parry

Cormac is young boy growing up in a castle (somewhere in Ireland?). His parents died when he was very young. Any attempts by Cormac to learn about his father are met with total resistance; the King (Cormac’s grandfather) has forbidden any discussion about it.

The relationship between Cormac’s parents was not-exactly-legitimate when he was born. Killian, the local bully, throws it in Cormac’s face (he didn’t know ahead of time) and drives him to run away from home.

Cormac meets up with the King and Thoric, the Captain of the Guards. They have been sent on a journey far to the East to protect a baby who is about to be born. After a long sea Journey through the Mediterranean (staying as far away as possible from the Roman Empire), the three reach dry land. They meet up with three other kings who are there for the same reason. The group finds Mary and Joseph, and the midwife who is upset with all these men standing around, watching what they are not supposed to watch.

The birth is successful, and since King Herod is looking for the child, the sooner that Mary, Joseph and Jesus can get out of town, the better. The kings have to make some quick decisions about how to give them as much time as possible to escape, with Roman soldiers only minutes behind. Who is still alive at the end?

The first half of this Young Adult story is very good, but the second half is much better. It is well written, and inspirational, and is very easy to read. This story may be intended for young people, but adults will also love it. It is very much worth reading.… (more)