The Angel and the Cross

The Guardian Angel #3

by Sigmund Brouwer

When Marcellus, the son of a centurion of the Roman court, is kidnapped by Zealots and then rescued by a rebel's daughter, he is thrust into a quest for truth that will change history.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Fantasy, Childrens

168 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Sigmund loves going to schools to get kids excited about reading, reaching roughly 80,000 students a year through his Rock&Roll Literacy Show.

Reviews

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked this one better than the sowrd one. i loved th comparison he made beteween the lady covered in throw up and the lady'd deodorent.

[J F · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think taken as a whole, the angel concept is kind of an interesting idea and I'm glad I read all three before writing anything. Three scenarios and each time the angel intervenes at a different part of the story- a more theologically sound Touched by an Angel, I guess. And this was the most interesting iteration of the angel intervention story- perhaps because unlike the other ones, I wasn't expecting the intervention so soon and so frequently.

However, as a concept it still has a problem, which is for most of the other stories, the angel has nothing to do except complain about humans complaining or jam in a bunch of sermonettes. I guess the problem is, choosing to tell a story that has angels as a POV gives a chance to reveal another perspective, but what is revealed is that not much is going on- just angels waiting for the opportune moment while giving snarky summaries of what we just read and a few lectures. Peretti at least pulled back the curtain to find a battle going on behind the scenes, which was at least exciting.

This story takes us into the camp of Bar-Abbas and a band of zealots with a kidnapping plot. Interesting ground- Ben Hur, Pontius Pilate, Bronze Bow etc, but I don't think I've read Bar-Abbas specifically. However, I'm still getting Thomas-Katherine betrayal plotlines again. It's not so close so as to be a retread, but after three books in a row of a similar set-up, I think the author has fallen into too comfortable of a groove. But I'm sure the series as a whole is more entertaining for readers less cranky than myself. As for me, this trilogy was okay, but I'd rather just reread Wings of Dawn.

[Marissa Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Angel and the Cross is fast-paced, with a surprisingly well thought out plot that I did not fully expect. It will no doubt pull on the hearts of younger kids as they worry for their characters and also triumph with them. I was deeply moved by the ending scene, and enjoyed having read this book.

I give it five stars because as juvenile fiction, I believe it was done very well. Not only will it be an exciting read, with a beautiful plot and wonderful characters, but it pulses with the Christian message. A little romance does not hurt anything either. I highly recommend! It is nice to find another highly entertaining, clean read.

Sigmund Brouwer writes another adventure novel that I hope will not blend into the shelf alongside all of the other Juvenile fiction. I read The Angel and the Ring as well as when I was younger and fell in love with them. A couple years ago I decided to purchase the books to keep on my shelf of my own favorite children's literature, and discovered The Angel and the Cross. I decided I had to read it, and it did not disappoint. Brouwer packs a thrilling story into 159 pages that both parents and children will enjoy! (And okay... a 19-year-old, engaged young woman as well.)

[Sarah Eckert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same sort of simplistic style (like my alliteration?) as the other Angel books, but this one had the crucifixion scene at the end. Very powerful. I would have liked it better had Brouwer ended with the Resurrection rather than the crucifixion, but I can see why he ended where he did (the books are taken from a man/angel point of view, so to go through with the resurrection would have probably required another book. The Angel and the Tomb? Maybe).

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was my favorite of all these "angel" books by Sigmund Brouwer... i loved it!!

[Justina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book as well, a little more on the serious side, but good nonetheless.

[Sarah Mcquade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possibly the best one of the trilogy, it takes the protagonist, and the reader, right to the foot of cross in awe of the work of God in that wondrous time.