In the Shadow of Lions

by Ginger Garrett

Book Overview

"I am the first writer, The Scribe. My books lie open before the Throne, and someday will be the only witness of your people and their time in this world. The stories are forgotten here, and the Day... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0781448875
• ISBN13: 9780781448871
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: David C Cook
• Length: 311 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

3 out of 5 Stars for normal book.....1 out of 5 for Anne Boleyn book

If are looking for a story about Anne Boleyn, just walk away. Yes Anne Boleyn is a character in this book, but she is the third “Main Character” and the portrayal of her is different which was nice and refreshing but the other information regarding her story and the time around it well….let’s say it put a bad taste in my mouth. The story to me even with all three people did not come to a satisfying end, I am aware that this is the beginning of a trilogy regarding the “Scribe” portion. The author herself mentions that all the questions you could have will be explained in the future books, but I do not know if I will be able to read them. The premise and idea of the book is excellent, but there need much more cohesion to why all three of them mattered. So again if you wanted a story about Anne Boleyn look elsewhere, if you are interested in a story about the Bible, religious freedom, religious persecution and angels then go ahead and read. But Anne Boleyn diehards, you need an open mind.

Reviewed for FIRST Wild Card Tour at http://wynsbooks.blogspot.com

My Review An awesome book about 2 women, Rose, a children's companion in the home of Sir Thomas More, and Anne Boleyn, Queen of England. The basic premise of the book is "What if the stories and rumours that Anne's enemies told of her is what we believe. What if she really wasn't a bad person, what if she held off Henry's advances not because she wanted the crown but because she honoured God and didn't want to commit sin with a married man?" Anne Boleyn was a great force in the acceptance of the idea that everyone had the right to read the bible in English. Sir Thomas More and Cardinal Wolsey were dead set against it and did everything in their power including torture and burning people at the stake to prevent it from happening. The author has a great talent for describing and bringing to mind the sights and smells and emotions of the time, the reader is right there with these women as they experience this historic and crucial time in the development of the bible for everyone and especially for women who were not considered people who could understand the written word let alone the Bible. The Scribe Angel opens the book of life to allow a modern woman to see the past and tell the story of these women and as well to present the idea that women have personal angels with them all the time protecting them, leading them, directing them. I am anxious to read the next books in the Scribe's series. I give this book 5 stars.

Eye-Opening and Thought-Provoking

Ginger Garrett's "In the Shadow of Lions" grabbed my attention with the first sentence! This incredibly creative delivery of historical fiction tells the tragic story of Anne Boleyn in a way that it has never been told before. Ginger Garrett writes in such a thoughtful and thought-provoking way. She does justice to the historical account while bringing an emotional level to the story that draws the reader to invest herself fully in the tale. I can't wait to read the next "Chronicles of the Scribe" story by this wonderful author. In the meantime, I may have to check out her novel, "Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther". The "after words" pages are an informative and enjoyable added bonus to this book.

Dares to challenge your view of Anne Boleyn...

Every once in a while I read a novel that is not only well-written and entertaining, but also challenges and grows my faith. In the Shadow of Lions is such a novel, and the story has stayed with me long after I finished the book. Ginger Garrett (author of the novels Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther 480-465 BC and Dark Hour (Serpent Moon Trilogy)) excels at bringing history to life, and with her latest offering she turns her attention to the well-known Anne Boleyn and turns everything I thought I knew about the woman on its head. Garrett dares to challenge the view that Anne was a scheming, manipulative seductress, and asks the reader to consider another alternative. What if Anne was a committed Christian, caught in a vortex of danger and intrigue that swept her into events beyond her control? What if Anne's deeply held beliefs threatened the religious establishment of the day and earned her the enmity of powerful people, determined to sully her reputation for centuries to come? In the Shadow of Lions is the story of two vastly different women - Anne, the noblewoman, and Rose, the peasant - both fighting against the restraints placed on them by a powerful patriarchal society. Anne, a devout Christian, wants to restore her family's good name in court, but more than that she refuses to dishonor God by becoming Henry's mistress. Rose, victimized by power-hungry clergymen who espouse virtue and then live in vice, longs for hope and redemption. Both women earn the enmity of powerful Church leaders who fear the "corrupting" influence of the Hutchins book (Hutchins was a pseudonym used by William Tyndale) - an English translation of the Bible taking Europe by storm. As people discover the scriptures for themselves, they learn that many of the established Church's teachings and requirements have little or no basis in biblical fact. The Hutchins book brings people face-to-face with God and His grace, without the Church as an intermediary. Anne's support of the Hutchins book is central to her tumultuous rise and fall from power in Henry's court. The first entry in the Chronicles of the Scribe series is a fast-paced, completely engrossing read. The juxtaposition of Anne's and Rose's experiences are further contrasted with present-day scenes, where the Scribe angel dictates their stories to a dying editor, an unknowing heiress to the women's legacy of faith. Garrett lifts the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds and powerfully reminds readers that there is so much more to life than what can be seen with earthly eyes. Anne and Rose's story of faith and sacrifice is a heart-wrenching reminder that the right to read the Bible was a right paid for in blood. If the true version of Anne is even halfway between the commonly known history and story presented here, history has done her a grave disservice. Both as a woman and as a Christian, I found myself chastened by the reminder of how many freedoms I take for granted that were bought through the

Thought-provoking!

Ginger Garrett takes a subject that we've all studied about at one time or another in school (whether or not we remember it is another matter...ahem! I admit, my memory was sketchy at best. I'll just chalk it up to too many diaper changes!). Anne Boleyn. We've always known her as the deceitful and manipulative woman trying to get her hands on the crown. But what if we were wrong? That's what Ginger asks in this book. What if she was actually a martyr for getting God's word to the people? And as if that's not enough to get your attention, the way the story is told is phenomenal! At first I was completely confused about the Scribe, but once the stories started to unravel I couldn't wait to hear more. Basically, the Scribe gives a NYC editor a "second chance" by showing her Anne's and Rose's stories for her write. And what we get is very thought-provoking, both from the historical story lines and from the spiritual world. I really enjoyed this book and appreciated the change in delivery. Many people have docked it for being too confusing. It was pretty confusing at first, but then things start to fall in place.

Historical novel brings the past to life

In the Shadow of Lions by Ginger Garrett is a remarkably original take on a well-known story. The story of Anne Boleyn and her marriage to Henry VIII has been written and played out on the screen hundreds of times, and usually, Anne is portrayed as a conniving, manipulative witch. Garrett turns history on its head by giving Anne heart and faith. Anne's story, along with another woman named Rose, is a story within the story of Bridget, a woman suffering from terminal cancer who has been ordered by a Scribe to write down their story. This Scribe, who appears to be some sort of angel, allows Bridget to observe history as it happens, and as she writes it down, she discovers some truths about her own life. It's a fascinating premise, and Garrett handles it extremely well. Anne is portrayed as a woman of faith who is torn by her desire for Henry and her desire to remain chaste to be faithful to God. She's not a manipulator, but manipulated herself, caught in a web of intrigue beyond her creation or knowledge. Part of what makes the story shine is Garrett's deft writing. Crickets sang the same note, over and over, like a needle and thread bobbing in and out of the dark blanket of the night sky. Garrett recreates history in a way that makes it vital. Henry VIII is burning men and women at the stake who dare to read William Hutchins' book, the New Testament, which has been translated for the first time into English so everyone can read it. What those martyrs suffered for their faith, makes me very grateful for the ability to read my Bible every night and to worship in the way I please. This appears to be the first in a series; I hope the next one comes out soon!