Colossus: Stone and Steel. David Blixt. Sordelet Ink Publisher. Sold by Amazon Digital Services, Inc. April 2012. 335 pages. ASIN: B007XK66KI.
The year is 66 A.D. Rome rules over Israel but it isn't a peaceful coexistence between Romans and Jews. There are Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, and other rebels who think that their brief skirmishes against their enemy will go unnoticed and naively be successful in ousting the Roman soldiers. In the middle of this critical situation live Judah and Asher, two mason brothers, the former a physically muscular man and the latter an academic type who has actually studied in Rome and returned for a secret reason he at first will not reveal to anyone. He returns severely bruised and broken.
Right before Asher's return, Judah finds himself inadvertently involved with a violent fight with Roman soldiers. It is his first brush with men outside his trade, some who are natural soldiers, others who are priests, former slaves, generals, and more. Their success in severely decimating the Roman soldiers makes them momentarily drunk with victory until they realize that the act of taking a Roman Eagle standard guarantees that Rome must respond. So they begin to prepare for what seems like the end of Israel. Judah is hailed as a Jewish general, even though this hardly deems him more worthy for the hand of the woman he adores, Deborah.
The rest of the novel covers the planning for the great war and the first representative battle at Jotapata. Here there are parallel scenes depicted of the leaders and the brilliance or devastation of these plans in each skirmish. What is unique about the story is the refusal of Blixt to fall into stereotypical characterization. Military campaign strategy is discussed and tried in between the quoting of poetry or the explanation of the complex Jewish faith and its beliefs and sects. Academic excellence is as revered as battle skills. The need for different levels of society to not only interact but cooperate is painstakingly described, with the private thoughts and feelings of every side adding to the tense and relaxed dialogue that is never repetitive or tedious, never stodgy but instead an adventuresome and informative read.
David Blixt is definitely a master of creating vibrant, credible, exciting, and accurate historical fiction. His style is not only easy to read but also immensely engaging; the reader will be unable to stop reading once he or she begins any novel by this very talented writer. Colossus is no exception and thankfully will be followed by another novel continuing the critical days that will perhaps be Israel's last stand against the Roman Eagle! Stunning, David Blixt!
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