While it contained more aspects of a thrill ride than I originally expected, this book put me in mind of Dan Brown's Robert Langdon. As scholars seek truth and history, there are spiritual aspects of their findings that can never be fully or adequately explained for everyone. Growing up between the Jewish and Catholic faiths, I naturally found the overlapping commonalities and took great comfort in them. This book presents an expansion of these commonalities to Eastern religions that I find thrilling and personally enlightening. This perspective speaks directly to my sensibilities. Well written and not in any way preachy, I thoroughly enjoyed each moment of the main characters' journey. ( )

This is a fast paced, action packed book that is hard to put down. There are so many twist and turns, we get a different perspective on a young Jesus and his thoughts. I like any book that makes you think and this one does that. I also like that it is an easier read than the DaVinci Code and a far better read. I received this from LibraryThing Members Giveaway and I recommend this book. ( )

This was a page turner! From the very first sentence to very last word this book kept me captivated. It's a combination of religious/mystery/historical/modern day thriller and I found it to be just about unputdownable. The premise of the tale, that Jesus traveled to India and Tibet during the 18 years unaccounted for in the Bible, was first postulated by Nicolas Notovitch. Known there as St. Issa His teachings are remarkably similar to what He taught in Jerusalem.

I had read previously and in passing just recently about this time in Jesus' life so it was very interesting to have a second book with this information as a topic. In this tale the revelation of the existence of the Issa journals would, of course, cause a crisis of faith and its publication must be stopped at all costs.

Grant Matthews, our hero, is searching for the manuscripts to complete his dissertation. No one believes in him or the journals. But he has absolute faith. He finds himself pitched against an unknown enemy determined to discredit him and keep him from revealing the truth he has found.
At any cost. The secondary force behind that enemy comes as shock to both Grant and the reader.

The descriptions of place are so well written I almost felt like I was actually there. The thriller aspect had me racing through the pages to find out what was going to happen next. Overall this was a fascinating tale of what can lurk behind blind faith and what is possible if you open your mind. ( )