Guardian of the Flame...Review

About the book:
Guardian of the Flame is book three in the Seven Wonders series of novels transporting readers back to the Ancient World. Characters struggle to find meaning in a pagan society and are confronted by the one true God and His message of redemption. The year is 48 BC. Sophia, a woman hurt by past loss, guards the famous lighthouse of Alexandria, Egypt, in order to hide herself away from a world she deems cruel and unloving. But there is no escape. Political turmoil swells as Roman general Julius Caesar and his legion storm the city, and Cleopatra, Greek queen of Egypt , fights to retain her country against both Caesar and bloodthirsty rivals within her own household. Sophia is caught in the middle between a loyalty to Cleopatra and her maddening interest in Bellus, the Roman soldier whom Caesar has instructed to overtake the lighthouse.

I am fascinated by, but not very familiar with the history of the Ancient World. I wish I'd paid more attention in my Humanities World History classes in college! I was also not familiar with Tracy Higley's Seven Wonders series, but I intend to seek out the first two books.

Sophia is a strong, educated woman who has dedicated her life to keeping the lighthouse flame lit. Her sorrows and losses have kept her inside the lighthouse and away from the rest of the world. Her joys come from learning and the preservation of knowledge. Cleopatra was once her student. The city scholars are her family and the great library receives her patronage.

When Julius Caesar invades Egypt and war erupts, Sophia's life and all she knows is threatened. When a roman soldier breaches not only the lighthouse's defenses but her own as well, Sophia's own hardened heart is forced to soften.

This was a fascinating novel. It started a bit slowly for me, and it took a couple of chapters to work out all the characters, but the compelling story moves along well. It was an enjoyable, enthralling read. I look forward to not only reading the first two books, but also reading more from Tracy Higley. Her website is full of information about the book, about Alexandria and explains which aspects of the story are fiction and which are based on fact.

Thanks to First Wildcard and the author for the opportunity to review this book. You can find out more about T.L. Higley here. You can read the first chapter here. You can purchase your own copy here.

Read 9/09

* * *
3/5 Stars