Sword and Serpent Book III - Storm of Fire and Blood

Dr. Marshall has crafted a thoroughly entertaining series here. He's woven history, religion, imagination, suspense and compelling narration with the best authors out there: James Rollins, Michael Crichton, Clive Cussler and more. I love that about the book (and the entire series); Dr. Marshall paints a grounded, believable world of the 4th century AD while sure-handedly commanding the elements of the story. It's a true period piece. His character Jurian (Saint George the dragon slayer) continues his adventure in a plot as steeped in theology as it is action and suspense. An absolute must-read for story lovers wanting to experience the fullness of epic adventure.

We are a Catholic homeschooling family. I came across this trilogy in my search for a book to read aloud with my 12 year old son. I will always treasure the hours he and I journeyed along with Jurian.

From a homeschooling standpoint, this trilogy profoundly enriched our study of Early Christian History. The tension of the times felt palpable throughout the books culminating perfectly in this conclusion.

As a mother, what I’ve come to appreciate even more, however, is how perfect this story is for preteens and teenagers. The characters’ faith struggles play out on the pages with refreshing honesty. These saints are characters to whom young people especially can not only relate to but also strive to emulate.

Each morning, before leaving for the day, my husband asks our children the same series of questions, one of them being: “What’s the definition of a saint?” to which the children reply, “A person who never gives up.” That’s what this trilogy so adeptly conveys.

Fantastic Christmas or Confirmation gift!

In this third installment of The Sword and Serpent saga, Dr. Taylor Marshall takes us on a fantastic voyage across a pagan Europe on the brink of being christened through the increasing presence of members of the rapidly developing "Nazarene" sect, and an empire waiting for the one who would adopt the chi-rho as his banner.
The use of terminology and names of the era lends credibility to the narrative while giving readers the excuse of researching these in more detail.
Further, although the events described take place almost two millennia ago, Dr. Marshall addresses relevant issues of modern society such as religious freedom and political correctness: "Virtue has become the equivalent of agreeing with the Emperor in all things..."
"Storm of Fire and Blood: Sword and Serpent Book III" is an enthralling make-believe narrative intertwined with history told from very solid Christian ground. This book is easy, and yet, compelling reading for the young and adult alike.

I was sent a pre-publication copy in exchange for an honest review.
I have read the first 2 books in this series and was very excited to hear that this one was ready. The book did not disappoint. While the book can be read as a stand alone, you will be at a bit of a loss without having read the first 2. There was good character development all through the 3 books. I very much enjoy reading historical stories that actually take you to that time, and learning more about the persecutions that happened at this time helped to further understand the historical and fictional characters in the story.
I like his use of the Latin or old roman words for things, and on my kindle it is is easy to get a translation or definition of them.

I have not read any other books written by Taylor Marshall, but I will be looking for them now.

Taylor Marshall has most successfully tapped into a growing genre (historical fiction) in this, his third installment of the Sword and Serpent books. While many others have ventured into this realm only a few have done so in such a way as to balance the accuracy of the account with a gripping and entertaining story while displaying a talent for the written word. Jeff Shaara and Louis De Wohl come to mind as other examples of both successful and talented authors in this genre.

One of my favorite characteristics of Marshall’s writing is that there is something for every lover of literature in his prose. You don’t have to be Catholic or even a Christian to admire the characters and their strengths and struggles. War, both physical and intellectual; brotherhood/sisterhood encapsulated in the bonds of friendships detailed; mystery; suspense; and romance all woven together in such a deft manner as to not only appeal to different readers as individual traits, but to all readers in the a sort of literary stew that is somehow universal in its appeal.

I thoroughly enjoyed all three books, and Storm of Fire and Blood especially. I look forward to more entertaining and thought provoking work from Marshall.

This is a wonderful book to read! As a homeschooling mom, I read the first two books of this trilogy months ago to our 4 boys. After reading the second book in the series, "The Tenth Region of the Night," we all hoped there would be another book to carry on the story that we had grown so fond of. When I hear of this third book, I immediately told our sons and we were all excited to read it. This book did not disappoint! As with the other two books in the series, it was an incredible witness to the early life of the Church ad the trials and triumphs it endured. We loved the ending of the book, yet hope that Taylor Marshall will continue to write about the adventures of these characters whom we have to come to love and be encouraged by.

Sword and Serpent

Where to begin? A Storm of Fire and Blood concludes the epic trilogy of the historical fiction story of the valiant Saint George.

Disclaimer: as a devout, practicing Catholic, Saint George was one of the Saints I ashamedly knew very little about apart from his common association with England. Reading this trilogy has helped my affection and appreciation for this soldier of Christ, and created in me a desire to learn more about this holy saint.

This book was full of excitement and kept my full attention throughout its entirety. While I don’t particularly love the cliche phrase ‘page turner’, this third part of the trilogy is most certainly that.

Book two (The Tenth Region of the Night) ended with complete excitement and planted a seed of anxious anticipation for the finale, “A Storm of Fire and Blood.” Fortunately for me, I was able to read all three books within a short period of time as if it were one seamless and fluid story. The timing couldn’t have been better for me, and I believe that added to the experience of Julian’s journey.

The third part of the story picks up at Julian’s exile out of the Roman Empire for false accusations of treason and betrayal to Diocletian. In the reader’s mind, there are a million things that you want to happen, and are unsure of taking place due to the nature of the genre of historical fiction; you’re on the edge of your seat the entire read.

It is determined that Jurian is set to travel to Britannia to fulfill the prophecy of the pappas with Excalibur. The historical accuracy and geographical description of the story make it almost realistic to the point of second guessing; is this what happened, or do I prefer what’s going on in the author’s rendition? I’ll admit that there was a few occasions of this thought process. To boot, due to my lack of knowledge of this heavenly Saint’s story, there were periods where I had to set the book down and research myself!

All the while the power-house female characters have plots of their own: Sabra on a journey to understand what her role is in this story and (with the help of Nikolaos) and Aikaterina (St Catherine of Alexandria) to help keep her Egyptian stable in control while her father dies. The intertwining relationships of these two characters and their binds to Georgious are addicting.

One of the most attention-catching and heart-felt themes of book three are He sufferings of my Christian brethren in the early Church. While the stories of the tortures or death of the early Christians in this book were fictitious to fit the story, the reality remains that these sorts of atrocities did indeed occur, and for that, there were many instances while reading this when I had to stop and set the book down and offer up many prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for His servants and their martyred blood.

The author provides many opportunists to do so for those of us readers who are in the family of faith, and for that alone, I am grateful.

All in all, this epic story comes to a beautiful end (with a zinger from a certain evil force) and leaves the reader in a sense of understanding and prayerful discernment to ponder how might we see St George as an inspiration to become fierce soldiers of Christ.

A must-read.

This book was almost exactly what I was hoping for as a conclusion to the trilogy. The story begins with Saint George (Jurian) in Britain and includes some awesome connections to the legends of King Arthur. Meanwhile, the other characters (Sabra, Aikaterina, etc) have to withstand the growing persecution from Rome.

I loved George's journey through the entire trilogy and especially in this book. His transformation from disinterested cynicism to triumphant sainthood is inspiring. Constantine's inner turmoil and personal journey makes for very good reading, too-- especially for those who know what he eventually becomes. Some of the other characters' stories come across as a little flat and monotonous, though.

The best part of the story, as far as I am concerned, is the ending. I knew the traditional story of Saint George so I thought I knew what to expect. But the surprise at the end was both stunning and enjoyable! I only wish that Dr. Marshall could continue to write more stories like this (especially about the continuing adventures of Constantine) or that other authors would write stories like he does!

Just as a general caveat: I don’t usually write book reviews and I am getting flashbacks from high school and earlier while I sit down to write this. So, in order to value your time in case I fall into a stream of consciousness about this book, I will provide the short version up front: Love the book. Go buy it.

Now, the longer version. In this third installment of the Sword and the Serpent series, Marshall tells the story of St. George, aka Jurian, as he leaves in exile. He travels to Britain with Constantinus and several friends with the dual mission to deposit Excalibur in its rightful place somewhere in England and to try to forge an honorable entrance back into the Empire. On the other side of the book’s conflict are such unsavory characters as the Emperor Diocletian (yes, the kill-as-many-Christians-as-possible-Great-Persecution-Diocletian). The story shifts perspectives between the protagonists Jurian, Aikaterina (St. Catherine of Alexandria), Sabra (Jurian’s love interest, daughter of the governor of Cyrene, and former priestess in a horrible death cult), and antagonist Casca (childhood enemy now murdering Christian persecutor and muckety-muck in the court of Diocletian). All of these characters were introduced in earlier books and provide different perspectives on the plot, really adding to the depth of the novel.

The auxiliary characters in the novel are variously fleshed out, but it is so exciting to read about important saints like St. Christopher (aka Menas) and St. Nick (aka Nikolaos) among others that I probably didn’t pick up on. I wanted to note how much I enjoy Nikolaos. The way that Marshall has written him makes him come alive. This is the saint who not only generously assists his flock but also who punched Arius in the face (sadly an event decades after the time of this novel). His counsel of Sabra is compassionate and comforting and theologically subtle and profound. Wonderfully written. It’s amazing to see saints living their faith in this novel and worth a read for this alone (reminding me of the novels of Louis de Wohl in case you like this kind of thing too).

I really enjoy reading Christian fiction, but it is often hard to find good Christian fiction (I highly recommend the books by Michael O’Brien, Flannery O’Connor, Graham Greene, Walker Percy, and Shusako Endo) but much out there is either too focused on romance or more focused on non-denominational Protestant or evangelical theology. The Catholicism of this book just shines through in ways large and small. Much in the way that Scripture infuses the language of the Church Fathers, we can see how Scripture more and more filters into the language of the characters of the story, especially the protagonist during the climax of the story (read the book to find out more!).

Regarding the plot, Marshall does a masterful job of weaving together history, legend, and creative conjecture to flesh out these events at the beginning of the 4th century. The plot was exciting and the pace of the novel kept me up reading each night until I just couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore. The climax of the novel was wonderful, hard to anticipate, and I was anxious to find out how the various narrative threads would resolve, but at the same time kept hoping the book would be longer so I wouldn’t have to stop reading it.

Now, the negatives. I think that the narrative sections where Jurian works his way through the ranks in the legion and earns the respect of his men should have been fleshed out more. Having read the previous two books, we got a real appreciation for his martial skills, but they are more assumed than described in this book. Also, without an understanding of Constantine’s eventual ascension to emperor (I’m not sure how common this knowledge is to the average reader), it is hard to understand his motives. Maybe a little more foreshadowing would be called for? Perhaps this will be the focus of the fourth book, we can only hope?

All in all, this book is just great. Give it a read, but only after reading the first two books!

NB: I was provided a free advance copy of this book in order to provide a review, but this review has not been influenced in any way whatsoever and the opinions are my own. Honestly, I planned to read this book anyway the day it came out.

This is an awesome read. It is filled with mystery, history, legend, military campaigns and romance. The characters are real and believable and are based on actual characters in history. This is an easy read and I was engrossed in the story till the very end. You do not need to read the first two books to read this one but why would you? If you have not read the first two books in the trilogy pick them up too. You will not regret it. Each book was better then the last. Taylor Marshall gets better with each book he writes and I sincerely hope there are other stories to come. He has masterful knowledge of history and a talent to flesh out the characters into people you want to know better, who you want as your friends.

I found this third book compelling and I could not put it down. The number of pages does not suggest that the plot is drawn out or lacks interest in parts. Far from it. Taylor Marshall' s very generous plot is captivating and truly visual. Don't let talk of it being a book about the Christian faith sway you from reading it because the era, the themes, the characters and the action continue to be inspirational and authentic to its time. This trilogy belongs in every school and every home. It is what everyone should be reading of any age group. I will certainly donate this trilogy to the local secondary school librarian to read. Who else could promote it and influence such a large group of young readers. I can't wait to gift the third in the series to friends for Christmas who have loved the other two. While I hope that eventually a series of movies will be made, I hope it will not be for a while because I recommend people read this beautiful piece of literature as a work of art first. Loved it. Can't wait for the hard copy.

Storm of Fire and Blood is Taylor Marshall’s third installment in his Sword and Serpent Christian epic series about the origins, life, faith, and heroism of St. George, the Dragonslayer. This volume intended primarily for younger readers, is nonetheless a well-crafted novel with superb character development and attention to authentic historical detail capable of drawing in sophisticated adult readers. The novel has it all; heroes and heroines, villains and monsters, saints and sinners, action and introspection, faith and grief, love and vengeance, sin and redemption.

Readers are immediately drawn into the historical world of the early fourth century Roman Empire inhabited by the returning main characters Jurian, Sabra, Aikaterina, Constantinus, Menas, Nikolaos, and Casca. In addition to the characters readers have come to know and love in the earlier two novels, the author includes historical and cultural references that not only educate the reader, but also draw the reader into the now legendary origins of Great Britain’s King Arthur, and Christianity’s impending ascendance throughout an empire through the timeless Christian truths faith, hope, and love.

I couldn't stop reading this book from the moment I started. If I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about reading it. Marshall pulls you in with his fantastic story of the life of St. George. It is a perfect blend of Truth, traditions of the Church, legends, and Marshall's imagination.

In the book we find Jurian (St. George) trying to get back to Sabra (his love), while Sabra and Aikaterina try to protect the growing Christian flocks. The story is told from the perspective of multiple main characters but it never feels disjointed.

St. Helena, St. Nicholas, St. Christopher, and Constantine are all players in this novel. The way he wove their tales together is so seamless and perfect. The characters also feel alive, like I know the saints a little better now. Menas (St. Christopher) isn't just someone on a medal now. It's like I journeyed with him. Nikoloas (St. Nick) is so warmly written, I want to meet him and give him a hug. With Christmas coming every time I see Santa on something I imagine him.

The book itself is full of delightful twists - the ending is something I never saw coming, and who would have thought the legend of Excalibur would be brought in! Trying to figure out the prophesies and how everything ties together was fun.

I can't rate this book highly enough. It is the perfect end to an epic trilogy.

After awaiting to continue the story of Jurian, Menas, Agapius, Constantinus, Aikaterina, and Sabra. I was more than thrilled with this book. To be completely honest I didn't want it to end. The story of friendship, love, hope, strength, and forgiveness that is intertwined in this story allows you to feel like you are there with the characters. The story captures you with all the strengths and weaknesses of the characters and keeps you wanting to learn more. As a young reader, it was encouraging to see people standing up for their faith in a simple yet strong way. In this tumultuous time, reading a story about strength and forgiveness is encouraging. Overall, I loved this book and I am sad to see the trilogy end. Hopefully though the story will continue in a new series =)

An easy read, fast-paced. I particularly enjoyed the young and current writing style, sprinkled with just enough words, descriptions and dialogues to give it an "ancient" flavor, so that it's accesible to novices and erudites the same.
It feels as if reading a movie, since it's narrative is peppered with sufficient details to make the words, once they traverse the retina, turn into a whole movie production in the mind, complete with scenery, sounds, even smells and body sensations.
Makes you value and treasure even more the Faith, and honor and esteem those first martyrs of the Church.

Dr. Taylor Marshall has delivered the third and final installment to the Sword and the Serpent series with Storm of Fire and Blood. With this release, the saga of St. George continues to thrill. If you enjoyed the first two books, or haven't read them yet, get them now and find out what you've been missing! I found the historical backdrop and religious persecution of the early Christians come to life, with the Roman pagans (represented by the evil Casca) angrily attacking and pursuing those faithful communities. Dr. Marshall blends the language and terminology with the time period, and brings the lives of the saints into sharp focus. St. Nicholas, St. Catherine, Constantine, St. Christopher and of course St. George all come to life with wonderful characterization and depth.

The themes of self-sacrifice, conversion, forgiveness and true Christian love are felt throughout. This amazing trilogy is something you'll treasure on your own faith journey, picturing the incredible and miraculous history of the faith.

Storm of Fire and Blood as were the1st two books, spell bounding from start but especially the finish. Dr. Taylor weaved lives of these saints showing they were as human as we are with fears, pains, sorrows, joy, love and peace in their lives. How respect for another man’s actions provides courage to another man to live and die for the truth. Tertullian said “Blood of the martyrs, is the seed of the Church,” and so it was and so it is. Thus, Saints are not born, but forged, so stay alert for the Storm of Fire and Blood may sweep our way.

This is a wholly unique and memorable book that will stick with me for long to come. Adventure, romance, excitement, danger, and the supernatural are all included in Storm of Fire and Blood. Multiple fascinating story arcs nimbly intertwine, introducing the reader to an ensemble cast of characters, each fully-fleshed out and earning his or her place in the story, as well as the reader's heart. This novel has the magical lightness of a well-told fairy tale, but at the same time, the gripping edginess and dark themes of more recent popular fantasy fiction. Portrayals of good and evil, interior struggles, grief, joy, fear, and anger are depicted with a striking authenticity that will move, inspire, and provoke thought and discussion.

Valuable to all, but particularly to the young reader, this book also will make you want to know more about it's historical figures, times and places in which the events take place. I highly recommend Storm of Fire and Blood for young and old alike. And I'm not just saying that because my name happens to be George.

Wow!
My favorite book of the trilogy. Difficult to put down. Another reviewer described these three books as a tale of ongoing conversion - I agree.
I am both convicted and encouraged by the conduct of the characters involved in this story.
Dr. Marshall wrote this trilogy in such a manner that I am completely drawn in; the time period, the historical context, the characters all come alive. Compelling, engrossing, and entirely coherent (something that I truly appreciate).
My one complaint - is this truly the end? Is this the end of this series? Will we read no more about Sabra, St. Nikolaos, St. Christophoros, St. Catherine of Alexandria, Constantinus, and all the others? On a slightly different note - will you make these books available as Audible files?
And finally, St. George, pray for us! St. Nikolaos, pray for us! St. Christopher, pray for us! All you unknown martyrs, pray for us!

Writing historical fiction based on the life of saints is an ambitious challenge, especially for an author who was more accustomed to academic writing before publishing the first volume of "Sword and Serpent". Many other Christian authors before him had fallen into the trap of writing preachy novels where the story takes a back seat to the thinly veiled proselytism. Others are stifled by trying to be faithful to biblical stories and end up following the scripts of poor allegories. The results are often predictable, with paper-thin characters and conclusions that are telegraphed from page one (think "Left Behind" series by LaHaye and Jenkins, or "Kingdom" series by Chuck Black). Other authors are so petrified by the fear of being inaccurate and disrespectful to the saints that they end up writing something that reads more like a hagiography than a novel.
In the case of the "Sword and Serpent" series, Taylor Marshall succeeded where so many before him failed. Despite being based of the lives of a collection of 4th century saints and historical figures, the fictional story crafted by the author has a place among the better epics of today's literature. It uses all the tested and true ingredients that make the style so beloved to its fans, while making it new again.
This third book takes up where "Tenth Region of the Night" left off, still following Jurian, Menas, Constantinus, Sabra, Aikaterina and their entourage in a new set of adventures to fulfill the prophecies that contributed to the rise of Christianity in the West. Add to this the tying in of elements of Arthurian legend (handled with more dexterity than even the great C.S. Lewis did in his "Space" trilogy) and you end up with a page-turner that makes you hope Taylor Marshall continues honing his craft by publishing more fiction!
I strongly recommend this novel (and the trilogy), and I will certainly be passing them on to my children, because Marshall writes the type of fiction that has the power to entertain while uplifting the readers and encouraging virtue.

Riveting from beginning to end, “Storm of Fire and Blood” is the third book in the Trilogy by Dr. Taylor Marshall. Each book in the series, starting with “Sword and Serpent”, then “The Tenth Region of the Night”, and finally “Storm of Fire and Blood” was better than the last. Although it is a fiction novel, there is a rich history contained in the series and many historical characters, including Jurian (St. George), Constantine, the Emperor Diocletian, Menas (St. Christopher), Aikaterina (St. Catherine of Alexandria), and many others. The story weaves the history of the early Church, persecution and the martyrs around the lives of its characters, and Dr. Marshall does a wonderful job of bringing those characters to life.

This series, and in particular this third book, is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. We read the first two books to our children who complained every time we had to stop. They can’t wait to read “Storm of Fire and Blood” as well.

Thank you, Dr. Taylor Marshall! We hope that more books will follow.

St. George, pray for us!

This book will have you racing to the conclusion. It has truly unforgettable characters and a plot with atmosphere, mystery, adventure, conspirators , and a fiery terrifying emperor wielding enormous power who is unyielding in it’s application. Christians fearing persecution have only their faith and love of Jesus their Saviour to sustain them. Excalibur is a sword that follows the characters in this story and influences for the better or worse? Read and find out. The novel travels from the outposts of the empire to it’s very Centre as it travels through the hearts of its characters from the most demonic leanings and smoky inner secrets to the depths of love as steely as any sword. The novel will haste to its final chapter as a fire flickering and wavering builds to a mighty firestorm - a book not for the overly sensitive or faint hearted. Which character will you love hate most Julian, Constantinus, Akaiterina , Sabra, Asclepius, - I could go on . . . . Read this book and find out for yourself!

Storm of Fire and Blood is the compelling conclusion to Taylor Marshall's saga of St. George (or Jurian, as he is better known in the book) which began with The Sword and Serpent, and continued through The Tenth Region of the Night. Picking up with Jurian travelling to Britannia with Menas and Constantinus to begin his exile, Storm of Fire and Blood interweaves Jurian's desire for political and military redemption with the political scheming of his enemy Casca, as well as Caesar Galerius and the Emperor Diocletian as the latter is spurred on toward the last great Roman persecution against the early Christians. Chapters bounce back and forth between the perspectives of Jurian, Aikaterina, and Sabra, as well as Casca's manipulations and machinations within the imperial court. For readers of the first two books, they will be overjoyed to see favourite characters return--most notably Nikolaos, who is portrayed again with mystical charm and humour which Marshall depicted him with in the first two books.
The political intrigue is matched equally with scenes of combat against the barbarians in the north, and quieter scenes of spiritual reflection that never come off as forced or preachy. On top of all of that is some very insightful commentary on our current cultural milieu, with a message woven throughout of the need for true, reasoned thought, real tolerance for opposing views, and the freedom to encounter and interact with those views in peaceful dialogue, learning, and freedom of speech--a message so pertinent in a day and age where free speech and opposing views are routinely stifled and silenced in the name of a false form of tolerance.

The greatest strength of Marshall's writing is in his characterisation. With the possible exception of Nikolaos, his protagonists are not paragons of saintliness which seem more like stiff lead outlines of stained glass, but are rather real people depicted with the same hopes, fears, and passions as ourselves. And the charm and humour with which Nikolaos is portrayed make him anything but stiff and lifeless! The martyrdoms depicted during the scenes of persecution aren't those of pious hagiography, but are fraught with the fear and anguish that real people would feel in such calamitous situations. Yet through this real, down-to-earth depiction of martyrdom, the hope and love that Christ gives is made evident, and Marshall's depictions demonstrate the reality of Tertullian's ancient adage, that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.

On the whole, Storm of Fire and Blood is an emotional roller-coaster that finishes with a breathtaking conclusion that ties together so many narrative threads that began back in Sword and Serpent--particularly the "Sword" part revolving around Excalibur--and does so in surprising ways that are truly satisfying.

SPOLIER ALERTS! I'm going in!!
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I think I really enjoyed the first two books and I was especially excited for this last one in the trilogy. So it was a bit disappointing to have the story feel a bit rushed. I wish we had spent more time with our characters, that's really my only disappointment. Towards the end it felt a bit like everyone was getting killed left to right; even though I knew the "bad guys" were not really winning, I just wish there had been more hope. Furthermore, we are just left hanging about what happens to St. Catherine of Egypt, which was disappointing and I'm waiting for another trilogy just for her, Sabra, Menas and everyone else!!

I feel like we also needed to know what was going on with Constantine and in his mind! His story also should be a continuation for the next trilogy!!! It would be AMAZING if we had insight into his thoughts and feelings on having so MANY of his closest people hurt by this fear of the faith they follow. For in the end, what did the Christians do wrong? They were perhaps some of the most law-abiding citizens in Rome, and yet they were massacred because of the pride of men in power who longed to be worshipped as gods.

I was hoping so much that Jurain/St. George would have had more of a struggle in deciding between his love of his Roman citizenship/the army and his love for a normal life with a family. Perhaps, because Sabra is a fictional character it was harder to show that struggle so narrative wise it is better that she wasn't there but I felt like there was no romance in the first two books (at least not that I remember) and then...third book? SO MUCH SWEETNESS. It made me ship and hope so hard!!! Just to have everything crushed. I will admit though I'm glad he died knowing the truth; it was so much more meaningful than him just giving up on life in hopelessness. He chose the faith fully, he chose to lay down his life for his faith and not just for his hopelessness.

Overall, I liked it but I wish we could have delved more into our other characters like Casca!!! I just knew something would happen with him. Though I wish I knew what his thoughts were at the end, somehow it seems too much to have deeper insight into his heart, only God knows and that seems right. Anyhow, great trilogy I will definitely recommend it to anyone with a love of a good imaginative story filled with the warmth of history!

Storm of Fire and Blood is a tightly written, fast-moving story that alternates viewpoints between the main characters of Jurian, Sabra, and Aikaterina, members of the early Christian community during a time of rising intolerance and persecution under the Roman emperor Diocletian. The attentiveness to detail, time, and place makes it believable and engaging. (And it begs to be made into a movie!) You feel as though you are truly walking the streets of ancient Cyrene, Alexandria, Britannia, and Nicomedia with them as they navigate court intrigues and try to outwit their enemies.

I loved the way the historical characters and familiar legends (such as Excalibur and the Lady of the Lake) were re-imagined and woven into the story in a fresh and compelling way. I was so invested in the characters that when the book concluded, I was left in disbelief that this could possibly be the end. Please give us more! What happens to Sabra and Aikaterina? How does Constantinus eventually become Emperor himself? What about the unfulfilled prophesies scattered throughout the book? There could easily be a sequel trilogy delineating the events leading up to Constantinus' coronation and conversion (hint, hint).

The bottom line is that you won't be disappointed with this third installment of the Sword and Serpent trilogy--you'll be left wanting more.

Another Excellent Novel in the Series!!:
I very liked the usage of Oracle / Scripture Passages, and their relevance to the theme, plot...and the way the story, scenes all seemed to develop, often leaving the Reader deeply in thought, actually, as to the intentions as they gradually build throughout the Novel. In fact, the Novel very articulately meshes / blends the content from the previous two Novels, creating astounding memory retention for the Readers at hand, seemingly drifting back into the past of the two earlier Novels, very much like a "Trip down Memory Lane" it seems...reminder the Reader and Characters alike as to what got the story to where it culminates essentially.!

I also enjoyed the usage of new characters (Preludes to yet another Novel, do Ya think?! ;)), being Relatives, etc., of the previous characters, and the usage of seemingly ironic twists in their newly introduced roles they seem to play out along the way!

Dad, Family. and Friends are going to Love this Novel as well, the very adventurous people they all can be, being indeed Taylor's Best so far per the very descriptive, entertaining scenes that play out throughout the book...consistently leaving the Reader to want to keep reading further for the latest development of answers as to why each scene takes place seemingly.

As to why it's the best of the three books, "Just Know", as they sometimes like to say in my in some of my theology, philosophy circles I also travel in often, mutually, also as part of my Summa - Inspired connections, it seems!

Is there more...of course there's more....BUT....You the Reader(s) must be the One(s) to uncover the surprises yet to come upon the continuation of this most excellent novel series yet to come....In fact, I wonder if good Dr. Marshall has thought about a motion picture series (ie. Lord of the Rings, etc.) much like I did, especially after viewing a Facebook posting between Dr. Marshall and I during one of the Trilogy Chat Room postings, Magnificient, indeed yet to come!

What an Inspiration to read about, Dr. Marshall continues to be in this Novel as well, as always....so (Dad) Hudson and other Readers, Be Sure to Enjoy yet another excellent story-telling for a Great Read!

An excellent conclusion to Dr Marshall's St George trilogy! "Storm of Fire and Blood" is a very well-written piece of Catholic fiction, a novel of a kind far too rare today. Jurian's adventures (and those of his friends) are exciting and--perhaps the reason I found them exciting--follow the historical lives of the many characters superbly! This is historical fiction near its apex, along the lines of Waugh, de Wohl, Twain and others.

I've read the previous books in the trilogy, and the minor gripes I had with those show up in the final volume as well. The occasional un-English construction stands out, especially in things like "unRoman". I'd assume a hyphen accidentally fell out, but it occurs more than once (but only a few times). Unnecessary latinizations are a slight annoyance--if we have an English word for something, I'd prefer its use in lieu of an italicized Latin term. (Dr Marshall's Douay-Rheims preference shows itself here, perhaps.) The language used is modern, but blessedly free from modern colloquialisms--this is a feature, not a bug!

I may be a bit dense, or I may have forgotten this fact in the interval between reading the first two books and this one, but a few chapters in it finally hit me who one of the main characters was (historically speaking). Brilliant, Dr Marshall!

"Storm of Fire and Blood" is a great book, and I hope Dr Marshall continues to write (both historical fiction and theology). I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, adventurous book.

I’m always on the lookout for engaging and appropriate reading material for our family. I read the first 2 books aloud to our 3 sons (ages 7, 14 and 16) and they never wanted me to stop after each chapter. It’s nice to have a good solid Christian option for our family reading times. I love that there are strong masculine examples in the male characters (and feminine ones for those families with girls!) in the story. The third book picks up immediately with the action, adventure and suspense of the previous 2 books and continues to keep me captivated. Our sons will be very excited to see this title again as it will definitely be under our Christmas tree this year!

The best stories always seem to have it all: action and adventure; comedy and tragedy; mystery and romance; treachery and redemption. If that is the case, then the Sword and Serpent series earns its place among great stories, especially the final addition, Storm of Fire and Blood.

The series is dramatized depiction of the life of St. George (or Jurian, as he is known in the series), an early 4th century Roman officer who defied the Emperor Diocletian and heroically gave his life as a witness to the supremacy of Christ as the One True Lord and King. Storm of Fire and Blood picks up with Jurian’s exile and journey to Britannia, where he hopes to fulfill the prophecy concerning the sword Excalibur. Other characters whom we have grown to love in the previous books (i.e. Menas, Sabra, Aikaterina, Constantinus, and Agapius) are all prominently featured, seeking either to help Jurian in his quest, or to withstand the growing suspicious and hostility towards the Christian community of the Empire, a hostility which is being fostered by Casca, Jurian’s mortal enemy. I don’t want to give away any major details, but I will say that the story is fast paced, intriguing, and extremely well written. Truth be told, I finished the entire book in less than 48 hours.

A few comments on certain aspects which I love about the third book. First, Dr. Taylor Marshall obviously did some extensive homework in writing this series because the depiction of the 4th century Roman Empire, with its customs, religious practices, culture, vocabulary, and names, is very impressive. I especially liked the glimpses we get into the world of the Early Church. It was a beautiful reminder that our Catholic faith spans the centuries.

Second, I greatly appreciated the relationship between Jurian and Sabra, the woman whom he rescued from the dragon in the first book. A bond was formed through that event, and eventually is blossomed into something more than friendship by the end of the second book. In the third book, we see their longing for each other from across a great distance, the desire to be reunited and begin a life together. In a time when “love stories” normally involve sinful behavior, it is very refreshing to see such a beautiful depiction of pure love.

Finally, I loved the depiction of the heroes’ faith. Although many of the characters in the book are now known as Saint So-and-So, they are very human and far from perfect. They have flaws and weaknesses, and although the Christian characters are all very devout, they still struggle. None of them have reached any sort of perfection, but they nevertheless press forward to attain the prize found in Christ Jesus the Lord.

I have truly appreciated reading this books, not only because they are an excellent story, but also because they have contributed to my faith. I have always loved stories about knights because I see them as the archetype for so much that we hold dear: strength, courage, purity, and the determination to fight against evil no matter the cost. Reading the first book in the series sparked a devotion to St. George which I hold very dear. After developing this devotion, I went to see when his feast day was and found out that it is April 23rd, which is the same day that entered the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil in 2011. So, it seems, that St. George has been looking out for me for awhile, even when I didn’t realize it. He is a highly venerated saint in our faith and Dr. Marshall’s books are a very fitting, very well written tribute to a man of such high distinction. St. George, Knight of God and Slayer of Dragons, pray for us!!!

After reading Sword and Serpent (Book I) and The Tenth Region of the Night (Book II), I began Storm of Fire and Blood (Book III) with high expectations and Dr. Marshall didn’t disappoint. I love historical novels and this is one that really makes the history come alive.

Dr. Marshall’s characters are so well developed and three dimensional that you might find yourself looking to your left or right and to have a conversation with one of them. Even the villains often have this type of quality in the story (although it’s difficult to imagine what type of discussion I might have with Diocletian) because I find myself praying that they realize their error. I really have an affinity for Sabra. Having once been a priestess of Molech and freed from his service by Jurian, the darkness still has somewhat of a hold on her and it was uplifting to see her struggle to be truly free. I’ve always had a soft spot for heroines in stories and this one is no exception. I guess that’s why Aikaterina is a close second favorite.

The descriptions of the places the characters travel are also first rate. Here my favorite is Ynys Afallon. It’s eerie yet magical. Certainly a place you might meet a mystical character.

The best thing I can say about this book is that it will break your heart. Yes, that’s a good thing because only Love can break your heart. And these are books that I really love. If you were to ask me, I would tell you at which point in the book that I wept. But no spoilers here. You’ll just have to read it and see where you weep.

Thank you Taylor Marshall for "Storm of Fire and Blood: Sword and Serpent. This book is filled with vivid images of the landscapes of multiple regions and characters that are fully developed. The reader feels present in the days of Roman Empire when the Christian persecution erupted in a horrific manner.The reader encounters real people with their own hopes, dreams and beliefs. The characters are so real to life that one feels like they are close friends and some are people one wants to avoid. It is a fast moving adventure that it filled with twists and turns; it keeps the reader wanting to learn what will happen next. It is historical fantasy but it reads like a story that is happening in the present. It is such a dynamic plot that the reader encounters scenes that are inspiring at times and shocking at other times. This is a story that remains in the reader's mind when the book is finished. This well written story of good versus evil is based on facts that were as true centuries ago as they are for today. This is a book that will encourage and strengthen those caught in the crossroads of what many are living through now in our present age. This book may even help others prepare for what they may be called to do. Some people may need to take a stand for their beliefs in the near future no matter what the cost .

I learned of Taylor Marshall's theological efforts about a year ago via ebooks and webinars, and appreciate both the range of his subject matter and the depth and breadth of his treatments. Writing fiction well is a much different challenge: As Flannery O'Connor held, fiction is its own art form and attempts to simply cast apologetics or inspirational stories into fiction = bad fiction. More broadly, this is why so many attempts at "Christian" movies, music, etc. fail. Art has to stand on its own and an author who subverts a work for instrumental purposes, however admirable, will produce ephemeral work. I think Taylor Marshall understands this and has written works that can last; but, of course, only time will tell. It would be unfair to compare Storm of Fire and Blood to Newman's Callista or Waugh's Helena, but in one respect at least I think the comparison could be favorable: giving younger audiences dramatic, engaging stories with real substance that they can live with over a long period of time is what has drawn so many to other series. Adding real historical and theological significance into the serialization puts Storm of Fire and Blood into the aspiring classics category. If my children and others take it up and hold it dear, it may get that validation.

The third book in the trilogy provides a thrilling conclusion to the story of St George. Taylor Marshall does a masterful job in writing a compelling historical novel. His blend of fictional characters with historical figures and places makes the story come alive. In my opinion, this was the best of the three books.

In age of sad stories and senseless violence, this story brings out what don’t see much in society. True honor and sacrifice for loved ones, country and most importantly God. Storm of Fire and Blood is a great escape and an incredible story of perseverance, duty and love. I hope Taylor Marshall will continue to write other stories using his strong historical knowledge of Christianity.

This is one of the most freshly original, insightful, and spellbinding trilogies I have read. In the footsteps of Tolkien and C.S Lewis, Taylor Marshall’s Storm of Fire and Blood is a masterly work completing the Saint George trilogy.

It feels as if you’re literally riding the storm of the human heart keeping you on the edge of your seat until the books conclusion. Laced with historical detail that rivals Bernard Cromwell and spiritual truths akin to C. S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy, we follow the hero and his friends into the depths of the human soul.

Entrenched in the background of the Christian persecution under the Roman emperor, Diocletian, Jurian and his friends trace back and forth across the Roman Empire from Britannia to Germania to Alexandria to Cyrene and Nicomedia. This epic saga ties together the myth of Excalibur, the legend of St George and the courage so many early Christians fearlessly showed in the face of persecution. It is a tale of the human heart through the eyes of grace.

After finishing the novel of Jurain (st George) and his friends Constantine, St Christopher, St Catherine of Alexandria, and St Nikolaos we see a glimpse of what it took to become a saint and are left with the lingering question of what it meant and still means to be a follower of Christ. This book is a must read for everyone.

I loved the seamless transition from 10th Region to Storm of Fire and Blood. The descriptions of the Eucharistca filled my soul with warmth. The characters were described in such a way I could see them in my minds eye and I was so surprised at the end with what happened to Casca. The only thing I felt could be better would be to have the Latin names as footnotes at the bottom of the page instead of at the back of the book. Most were self explanatory in context but there where a few I had to look up. In all it was a great read and I hope Dr. Taylor continues to write these types of books.

Dr. Taylor Marshall's book, Storm of Fire and Blood, captivates the reader with suspense and vivid imagery from the very beginning; his effortless writing style keeps the reader engaged to the very end making it yet another phenomenal masterpiece! One will not be disappointed with Dr. Marshall's book series as it is on par with The Lord of the Rings, he is, in my opinion, this generation's Tolkien. This series literary experience will have far deeper meaning when read in order, thus making it more enjoyable. Be sure to read the Prologues as each book picks up right where the other one leaves off.

Enjoy yet another difficult book to put down!
~Maria

My husband and I absolutely love this series, and Storm of Fire and Blood (Book 3) does not disappoint! Just like its predecessors, this is a book that you will want to devour in one sitting. It is well crafted and moves at a pace that allows you to get to know the characters more deeply as well as progress to the climax and denouement.

The characters, although set in the early 4th century, are relatable to modern day readers: Jurian, who struggles to do what he ought versus what would be easier throughout the series; Sabra, a young woman haunted by her past; Aikaterina, a feisty bookworm who has to step out of her library to lead her city, and so many other beloved characters. The journey each character walks will pull you along so that every chapter you are excited, and sometimes anxious, to find out what happens next.

Dr. Taylor Marshall has written a trilogy that will relate to men and women alike; every person we have shared this series with thus far gives accolades to the style, tone, and character development. My husband and I have loaned out the first two books to friends and family numerous times over; to the point that neither book has stayed in the house for more than a week it seem. We look forward to doing so with this one as well.

Storm of Fire and Blood: Sword and Serpent Book IIIThe Tenth Region of the Night: Sword and Serpent Book IISword and Serpent

I really enjoy to read this book. The first couple chapters seemed like a fairy tale as it is just like any other faire tale books. Then the more I read the more I get into it with a deep insight from the book. This book intergrade the mystery and the truth, the darkness, the sorrow, and the suffering that persons were struggling to confront with it. At the end of the last several chapters there was emotional and dramatic scene showing the sadness and the joy of the persons who were willingly forgiving and who was receiving forgiveness.

Fantastic read!!! I've read the previous two entries in the trilogy so far; 'Sword and Serpent' and 'The Tenth Region of the Night' and not knowing what to expect, was blown away! 'Storm of Fire and Blood' is a most worthy sequel. Dr. Marshall is well researched in history and has done a wonderful job of taking both the 4th century Roman world and actual historical figures, like Constantine, and breathing life back into them again. Then there are the saints, who have had legends spring up around their lives over the centuries. Dr. Marshall tells these tales in a new light and puts a unique spin on them which makes you think and reinvigorates your faith; providing a sense of wonder and excitement that is all to often lost in our modern era. What you get is a book that is clearly historical fiction, but with an epic retelling of legend and myth that reads like a combination of Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. All of this grounded in actual history and a clear pervading sense of Christian faith. The characters are real and you can't help but see the world through their eyes, feeling their sufferings and their triumphs. Once you pick up this book you won't be able to put it down. Do yourself a favor and get the whole series. St. George pray for us!!!

This generation needs young men and women to give holy witnesses to the world through their lives. But for the spark to be lighted, they need inspiration. This third book, along with the trilogy, gives just that: inspiration through the holy lives of the saints! Throughout the book, the young men and women are constantly faced with challenges by their inward fears and their enemies. The darkness and storm of fire and blood threaten to consume them and everything they love. How they face their fears and the darkness around them, as told in this thrilling conclusion to The Sword and Serpent Trilogy, inspires not only the other characters in the book but also the lives of those who read them. This trilogy is a great way to introduce the exciting lives of Saints George, Catherine of Alexandria, Christopher, Nikolaos, and others to teens and young adults. Taylor Marshall truly brings them alive in a way that you can personally relate to, showing us that being saints and holy examples aren't just people totally separated from everyone else but that they are people in the world living regular lives for Christ. This book is truly inspiring for all ages, but I think especially for teens and young adults who will be drawn to the action and Faith unfolding throughout the book. This book will leave you on fire to be as bold as Saint George and his young comrades, to "speak truth to kings!"

In the culmination of this wonderful hagiographical fiction, Dr. Taylor Marshall has done it again. He combines wonderful style, historical accuracy, and characters you can't help but root for, then wraps it all up in a gripping plot that delivers truth, goodness, and beauty. Perhaps most of all, the reason this is such a wonderful book (and trilogy) is the depth of worldview it purveys. The virtue present in each of the characters, along with their real life struggles, truly give great examples for all of us to strive for. The relationships built are authentic as well as deep and drive the plot well. But most importantly, the spiritual truths and practical tidbits for fighting the voice of the enemy inside our own heads are what make this a book I will ensure all of my children read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone, because it is the type of book that can truly change lives and hearts.

P.S. I truly love the fun little historical treats that are thrown into this entire series. For example, there is a passing reference to the changing tax structures and inauthenticity of coinage in Diocletian Rome, both of which are very true and played an important role in the shaping of subsequent centuries.

Oh man where do I start! Dr. Taylor Marshall has out done himself again. The first two books in his trilogy kept you on the edge of your seat where it was impossible to put down. Storm of Fire and Blood is no different. The trilogy is set in the 4th century and encoroprates saints that lived during this time: St. George, St. Nicholas, St. Catherine of Alexandria, and many more. This book truly puts you in the middle of what Christian life during this time was like. The hardships and persecutions theses Christians had to face usually led to their martyrdom which every saint gladly did for the love of Christ. Taylor Marshall has portrayed the Christian life of this time in a way that you truly feel you are there with them. This trilogy has become one of my all time favorites. You won't regret giving this trilogy a read.

Gladiator meets Lord of the Rings for teens and up.

This is an amazing book to finish the series. I feel Dr. Marshall really does a nice job using his vast knowledge of history to weave these stories together. Whether you are a devout Christian or not, since there is so much history and action, I think you would really enjoy this book. When I read I tend to imagine how this book would work as a movie, and I'm thinking something along the lines of 'Gladiator' mixed with 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy. I have read all three and they flow together perfectly. These books will be read and reread by fans for years.

My 10, 11 and 12-year-old sons also love them. We read them together. Thank you, Dr. Marshall for writing them!

Dr. Taylor’s ability to develop and maintain a character's personality throughout the trilogy to me is amazing. You can sense Jurian’s “bulldog “ determination, his tenacity and his intergrity. You feel empathy for Aekatrina with the weight of the world on her shoulders—her dad’s illness, and the she acting in his place with Doicletian breathing done her neck...and I HATE CASCA..that is when you know that a bad guy is fully developed when it raises your anger.
Anyway it is all too good. I became part of each scene. The feelings and emotions, the battles and triumphs ---the deaths and failures. --and axes and swords – and ultimately GOOD VS EVIL. You will love how it finishes –I did.
A resounding sucess

Trilogies seem to be all the rage now and “Storm of Fire and Blood” by Taylor Marshall does NOT disappoint. It is a trilogy in the line of Lord of the Rings. It is a fantastic story that brings to life many saints we have heard about as children and pray to as adults. It gives just the right mix of fiction and legend based in history. It continues the story of St George (Jurian) and his ongoing adventures. It is a fantastic story that is based in part on history and real people, brought to life through fantastic imagery and a story that excites the imagination, with love, adventure and mystery, with the capability to teach lessons based upon Christian morality. A truly epic tale!

I am very thankful for Dr. Marshall’s trilogy as it adds an excellent set of Catholic books for young adults and adults alike. Finding good fiction is difficult these days, and these novels were not only well-written, but they also inspired me to learn more about the saints and the historical events of the time period. I can’t say that there were any big surprises at the end of the trilogy, but I was not disappointed!

The third book of the series does not disappoint. With profound and historical characters that come to life as the pages fly by, this book will keep you captivated from beginning to end. Taylor Marshall does a masterful job of bringing the book to life through vivid imagery and powerful detail. It is a book that be read and re-read many times in our household, along with Sword and Serpeant, and Tenth Region of the Night. Thank you for another masterpiece.

Dr. Taylor Marshall has done it again! This third installation in the Sword & Serpent series is a true masterpiece. Storm of Fire and Blood weaves the trials, tribulations, and joys of St. George into a novel that captures the true wonder of being Christian. Dr. Taylor Marshall has brought the Scriptures to life and wove inspiring lessons into the midst of every page. This novel launches St. George and his companions into the fray of the early fourth century's Christian persecutions. If you are looking for a historical fiction novel that is exciting and filled to the brim with Catholic teachings, this book is for you.

Similar to the first two books, this final book of the trilogy is fun to read, teaches the faith and teaches history. I really enjoy the occasional use of Latin and Greek words. Dr. Marshall weaves historical events and characters, including saints and Roman leaders, into a fast-paced story that is exciting for both adults and children. I hope the author considers writing more fiction in the future.

Dr. Taylor Marshall’s third installment of the “Sword and Serpent” trilogy is a must have for anyone completing their collection. This is by far the best and most exciting of the three books. Young and old readers alike are sure to love this series. And it makes a great Christmas gift too! You don’t have to be Catholic to enjoy this fiction. Just someone who loves truth and justice. And who knows, maybe this series will spark your faith, giving that push you’ve always desired to follow “The Way” as it is called in these books.
-Ian Larch

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. One of my favorite things about the book is how it not only told a wonderful story, but also taught life lessons. I’ve been going through a rough patch lately and was inspired and reassured during parts of the book. Hope is a powerful thing. By walking along side of the characters I was also given strength to persevere the trials and look at them differently. I love the series as a whole as it has the amazing potential to transport you there during that timeframe. The only critic I have is that my children have gotten frustrated with the amount of foreign terminology which has distracted them front the story. I don’t mind personally but I totally understand where they are coming from. Wonderful book that everyone should read and enjoy.

I totally couldn't stop reading this amazing story. I liked the surprising story, and I really felt like I got to know the characters. I did feel like the end could have been extended to encompass more of the story afterwards. Maybe another book series in the future? I would like that, because I just can't get enough!!!

I would totally recommend this book to my friends.

After reading the previous two novels in this trilogy, I was excited to get the chance to read the final book. Even though the chance to preview the book came at the most inopportune time, I still couldn't wait to read it. So while homeschooling my 5 of my 7 children, nursing my 7 month old, moving into a new house, and celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday, my husband indulged me by letting me get in a few chapters here and there. Thank you, Daniel. I'll do the same for him once we get a hard copy of th he book. We have both enjoyed these historical fiction novels by Marshall and will let our children start reading them once in high school. I look forward to some engaging conversations with them discussing The Sword and the Serpent Trilogy. They will fit in nicely with their history curriculum when studying the early Church and the Roman Empire.

Immerse yourself in the 4th century Roman Empire. Travel around the Empire with the Saints and sinners of that era. See how their paths cross, converge and separate. This book is so thoroughly researched that the specific locations come alive with a " de ja veux" reality. The characters you meet are so real that you will have a visceral response to their predicaments and you will miss them long after you have finished the book.

All of the unfamiliar vocabulary is italicized and there is handy lexicon included at the end.

Another great novel from Dr. Marshall! The development of characters goes even deeper in this third and final book in the trilogy. Fast paced, action packed, and never a dull moment! Dr. Marshall's descriptive style of writing makes one feel as if they are actually surrounded by the scenery. I especially love the strong female characters. So entertaining! I am a mother of boys and noticed that this book would be good for older boys/young men who enjoy action and history. It's hard to find books that grab most young men's interests, but this book will do it!

Absolutely wonderful book, as is to be expected from Dr. Marshall. A thrilling end to the trilogy. I highly recommend this for teens but for adults as well! Can't wait to recommend it it to my Confirmation students!