Book Review: The 13th Tribe

Book Description:

Their story didn’t start this year . . . or even this millennium.

It began when Moses was on Mt. Sinai. Tired of waiting on the One True God, the twelve tribes of Israel began worshiping a golden calf through pagan revelry. Many received immediate death for their idolatry, but 40 were handed a far worse punishment—endless life on earth with no chance to see the face of God.

This group of immortals became the 13th Tribe, and they’ve been trying to earn their way into heaven ever since—by killing sinners. Though their logic is twisted, their brilliance is undeniable. Their wrath is unstoppable. And the technology they possess is beyond anything mere humans have ever seen.

Jagger Baird knows nothing about the Tribe when he’s hired as head of security for an archaeological dig on Mt. Sinai. The former Army Ranger is still reeling from an accident that claimed the life of his best friend, his arm, and his faith in God.

The Tribe is poised to execute their most ambitious attack ever and the lives of millions hang in the balance. When Jagger’s wife and son are caught in the crossfire, he’ll stop at nothing to save them. But how can one man stand against an entire tribe of immortals?

About the Author:

Former journalist Robert Liparulo is the best-selling author of the thrillers Comes a Horseman, Germ, Deadfall, Deadlock, and The 13th Tribe, as well as The Dreamhouse Kings, an action-adventure series for young adults. He contributed a short story to James Patterson’s Thriller, and an essay about Thomas Perry’s The Butcher’s Boy to Thrillers: 100 Must Reads, edited by David Morrell and Hank Wagner. The 13th Tribe is his first Christian adult fiction novel.  He is currently working on the sequel to The 13th Tribe, as well writing an original screenplay with director Andrew Davis (The Fugitive). 

When not writing, Liparulo loves to read, watch (and analyze) movies, scuba dive, swim, hike, and travel. He lives in Colorado with his wife Jodi and four children: Melanie, Matthew, Anthony, and Isabella.

My Thoughts:

I’d seen the press releases for this book floating around for a while, but I wasn’t really all that interested. It didn’t sound like a genre I would really appreciate. I don’t enjoy reading books that include a focus on violence (war settings, murder mysteries, terrorism, etc.) Then I was given the opportunity to review this novel. By the time I was invited to review the book I’d heard quite a bit of positive buzz about it so I decided to give it a try. I’m glad that I did.

Yes, this book contains violent imagery, but the way that it is woven into the story puts the focus firmly on redemption. Darkness was part of the story, but the focus wasn’t on the darkness. In fact, the author pushed into the darkness to take a long look at what it would mean to be denied physical death if your desire was to be with God but your soul was not at peace with God.

The Thirteenth Tribe asked some of the most creative “what if” questions I have read in a long time. What if a group of people who sinned at Mt. Sinai became immortal? What would they think? How might they pursue redemption from their curse? How would that fit into history? What if they met Christ? How could that change things?

These questions and more are woven into a well-written tale of archeology, history, faith, belief, love and terror set as a backdrop to display the journey of one man’s struggle toward God.

Once I started reading I had a hard time setting the book aside (staying up way too late to finish). And I loved the surprise discovery revealed in the last pages.

The Thirteenth Tribe was five star reading.

I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.