Shadows of Colossus
T. L. Higley
B&H. Aug 2008, $14.99
ISBN: 9780805447309
By 227 B.C. on the island of Rhodes, Tessa of Delos has reconciled with the belief she will never be free. Instead for the past decade she has been an enslaved hetaeira courtesan to affluent politician Glaucus. Now on the anniversary day, she decides the only escape is suicide. However, fate intervenes when her owner dies violently.
She sees an opportunity to escape by hiding his death from authorities. She also knows the risk of being caught is probably execution. Others, hoping to develop a kinder society based on democracy, take chances by abetting Tessa on her quest to escape bondage.
Starting ten days before the “quake” that leveled the five decade plus old statue, this is an engaging inspirational ancient historical thriller. The story line is fast-paced with a fascinating “Christian” message two plus centuries before the Christ as told by Jews and compared with local Hellenistic paganism adding depth to the overall visit to this Greek island. However, because of the fascination with the overall theme, more background into this particular one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World would have made this fine tale into a colossal thriller; yet this is still a terrific look at Greece over two millennia ago.
Harriet Klausner
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