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Maximus by Richard L. Black (2015) Hardcover
Maximus has never known peace. In command of one of Rome's finest legions, he and his closest friend, Androcles, have fought side by side to uphold the glory of the empire.
But at the end of a long and bloody campaign, Maximus begins to question his purpose, his past, and the gods he has been taught to believe in.
When word reaches Rome of a man named Jesus who is causing a stir in faraway Judaea, Maximus and Androcles are sent, disguised as Jews, to ascertain the truth of the situation: Is this Jesus merely a radical preacher, or is he instigating a revolution against Rome?
As Maximus immerses himself in Jewish culture, he must confront questions that could change his life: Is it possible this carpenter from Nazareth is the Son of God? Is it possible for a man of war to live a life of peace?
But at the end of a long and bloody campaign, Maximus begins to question his purpose, his past, and the gods he has been taught to believe in.
When word reaches Rome of a man named Jesus who is causing a stir in faraway Judaea, Maximus and Androcles are sent, disguised as Jews, to ascertain the truth of the situation: Is this Jesus merely a radical preacher, or is he instigating a revolution against Rome?
As Maximus immerses himself in Jewish culture, he must confront questions that could change his life: Is it possible this carpenter from Nazareth is the Son of God? Is it possible for a man of war to live a life of peace?
Hardcover
First published March 3, 2015
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762 people want to read
About the author
Richard L. Black
3 books15 followersRichard earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from California State University Long Beach. His diverse professional background has spanned from the 104th floor of the original World Trade Towers in New York as an Institutional Stock Trader to a major software corporation working closely with the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.
Maximus is his first novel. He defines it as a ten-year research project that became a labor of love. Richard is currently working on his next project entitled Starfish, the saga of a young Danish woman who immigrates to the timber country of Humboldt County in Northern California during World War ll.
Richard grew up in San Diego, California. He and his wife of 50 years, the former Marian Anne Johnsen, from Santa Rosa, California, have called Utah their home since 1993. Richard and Marian are the parents of eight children and grandparents of 7 beautiful granddaughters and 5 handsome grandsons. Richard enjoys traveling, swimming in the ocean, playing the guitar and working on cars with his four sons.
Maximus is his first novel. He defines it as a ten-year research project that became a labor of love. Richard is currently working on his next project entitled Starfish, the saga of a young Danish woman who immigrates to the timber country of Humboldt County in Northern California during World War ll.
Richard grew up in San Diego, California. He and his wife of 50 years, the former Marian Anne Johnsen, from Santa Rosa, California, have called Utah their home since 1993. Richard and Marian are the parents of eight children and grandparents of 7 beautiful granddaughters and 5 handsome grandsons. Richard enjoys traveling, swimming in the ocean, playing the guitar and working on cars with his four sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
May 31, 2025
I find it interesting that the author made our main character the son of Quintus Fabius Maximus. Instead of telling this story from the perspective of the legendary warrior, Richard has us follow the man that Quintus insists follow in his footsteps. I love this set up even more when it comes to the fact that Maximus (junior) is questioning the Romans' ways of life. He was such an interesting character to follow.
The forbidden romance between Maximus and Liora was one of my favorite aspects of this book. Even though one was a Roman soldier and the other a faithful Jew, they just seemed to fit together so well. The way these tough and hardworking soldiers found their caring and sensitive sides so quickly in just the few days they spent with Loria and Sariah was wonderful to see.
The longer that Maximus and Androcles were away from Rome, the more they thought about what life was like for them back home and what they actually wanted out of life. I loved watching the process of these changes in them.
The forbidden romance between Maximus and Liora was one of my favorite aspects of this book. Even though one was a Roman soldier and the other a faithful Jew, they just seemed to fit together so well. The way these tough and hardworking soldiers found their caring and sensitive sides so quickly in just the few days they spent with Loria and Sariah was wonderful to see.
The longer that Maximus and Androcles were away from Rome, the more they thought about what life was like for them back home and what they actually wanted out of life. I loved watching the process of these changes in them.
June 3, 2015
A heart-warming story which follows two men. Maximus, is a general and battle weary from fighting endless campaigns that have no meaning and of gods that offer no purpose. He is sent on a secret mission from the emperor to investigate the claims of a certain Nazarene who some believe is the long awaited Messiah. Along with his best friend, Androcoles, they are tasked with finding out if he poses a threat to Rome. What they find will change their lives...
For a first time author, I thought he did a wonderful job. I connected with the characters and the story follows the biblical account from the point of fictional characters. I recommend it to those who enjoy Christian, historical fiction.
For a first time author, I thought he did a wonderful job. I connected with the characters and the story follows the biblical account from the point of fictional characters. I recommend it to those who enjoy Christian, historical fiction.
February 9, 2015
An interesting premise burdened by amateur technique. This story suffered from extreme head-hopping and POV confusion, passive scenes, and too much telling instead of showing, to the point I could never connect with the characters or get wholly engrossed in the story.
March 9, 2022
Interesanti sarakstīts romāns ar ļoti definētu vēstījumu. Nezin vai ieteiktu lasīt nekristietim, jo morāle dur acīs, bet varbūt kādam šaubīgajam un meklējumos esošajam (līdzīgi kā grāmatas sākumā galvenais varonis) varbūt.
January 13, 2015
3.5 stars
After years of service to the Empire Maximus has become disillusioned with the endless need to conquer and crush other cultures. He's also losing faith in the Roman gods, so when he returns to Rome after another campaign he's almost relieved to be sent off to Jerusalem in disguise to ascertain the threat to Rome posed by this new Jesus person. What he finds, to his great astonishment, is so much more than he expected.
Even though this is not intended to be a scholarly work, there's a most interesting portrayal of Jesus and his teachings from the perspective of the common person in the crowd, and more insight into Pilate. For the first time I got a sense of how Jesus was viewed by those outside his circle: the Sanhedrin, the Romans both in Rome and in the army, and the wider community. (There were a couple of plot inconsistencies to do with Maximus and Androcles, but those might be cleared up in the final edition.) I'd feared some obvious positioning of the two Romans in Jesus' life, but was happy to discover this was not the case. Instead this book is more about a "what if", showing Romans as individuals so that
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
After years of service to the Empire Maximus has become disillusioned with the endless need to conquer and crush other cultures. He's also losing faith in the Roman gods, so when he returns to Rome after another campaign he's almost relieved to be sent off to Jerusalem in disguise to ascertain the threat to Rome posed by this new Jesus person. What he finds, to his great astonishment, is so much more than he expected.
Even though this is not intended to be a scholarly work, there's a most interesting portrayal of Jesus and his teachings from the perspective of the common person in the crowd, and more insight into Pilate. For the first time I got a sense of how Jesus was viewed by those outside his circle: the Sanhedrin, the Romans both in Rome and in the army, and the wider community. (There were a couple of plot inconsistencies to do with Maximus and Androcles, but those might be cleared up in the final edition.) I'd feared some obvious positioning of the two Romans in Jesus' life, but was happy to discover this was not the case. Instead this book is more about a "what if", showing Romans as individuals so that
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 29, 2022
I love being placed in history. Maximus is a battle worn soldier who gets sent to see if Jesus will be a threat to Rome. Through the story we get a glimpse into the culture and what it would have been like to witness Jesus’ coming and death. I loved that aspect.
It’s told through Omnipresent tense, which was great in the sense you saw more of the story, but for me in this case, it didn’t necessarily grab my emotions.
How I rate books:
I largely rate books on how they make me feel which is incredibly subjective 🥰.
5⭐️–Absolutely adored and loved the book, a favorite.
4⭐️-Really enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
3⭐️-Liked the book, it was engaging and interesting and I am glad I read it, but I wasn’t drawn in emotionally as much as others.
2⭐️- There was a strong theme that I did not agree with or overall the book just left me with a bad feeling.
It’s told through Omnipresent tense, which was great in the sense you saw more of the story, but for me in this case, it didn’t necessarily grab my emotions.
How I rate books:
I largely rate books on how they make me feel which is incredibly subjective 🥰.
5⭐️–Absolutely adored and loved the book, a favorite.
4⭐️-Really enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
3⭐️-Liked the book, it was engaging and interesting and I am glad I read it, but I wasn’t drawn in emotionally as much as others.
2⭐️- There was a strong theme that I did not agree with or overall the book just left me with a bad feeling.
July 8, 2019
Maximus is the perfect example of a great idea and not so great execution. The premise is interesting, Maximus has a lot of potential as a protagonist, and the story as a whole was promising. But the narrative was long and drawn out, poorly executed and organized, and repetitive.
The premise of this book is that of two war-hardened Roman soldiers, a general and his right hand man, are sent to Judea to investigate reports that some man, a Jesus of Nazareth, is forming a sort of army and posed a threat to Rome. While on this mission, the teachings of Jesus cause them to reflect on the beliefs they grew up learning, and the Spirit touches their hearts. It’s supposed to be about what happens to them, how their encounter with Jesus changes them, and what they do as a result.
See? An I intriguing storyline! Unfortunately, it doesn’t pan out.
The narrative isn’t consistent and sometimes it’s confusing how many times the perspective shifts between characters. In one chapter alone, we get the perspectives of Maximus, Androcles, Jershon, Liora, and Naomi. There is no clear shift between the perspectives. One sentence we’re reading Maximus’s thoughts, the next Jershon’s. Also, Maximus has the alias of Jacob when he’s in Judea and sometimes on the same page the name shifts (“Maximus said...” to “Jacob thought...”). That also gets a little confusing.
The character development feels stiff, forced, and sudden. Over the course of only a few days, Maximus becomes a completely changed man. Yes, that can happen and his heart had been prepared for quite some time. So maybe his change isn’t unexpected. But Androcles is sudden. He performs a complete 180, at nearly the end of the book. So close to the end he’s talking about Roman gods and what to believe and then suddenly he’s ready to embrace Christianity? Hmm. It just didn’t feel natural or like it was following a believable time line.
Speaking of time line, the amount of time it takes Maximus and Androcles to fall madly in love with two women, and to know that there are no other women in Rome who could be their equal (despite the fact that they have led the lives of soldiers almost exclusively for the last decade and haven’t had much, if anything, to do with society), is lightning quick and so unbelievable I kept rolling my eyes about it. I can’t tell you how many times we read about Liora and Sariah being unequaled in all the world. The repetition was wearing. The love interest also kind of shifted the import of the book from conversion to a love story. It became more about “what do I do about my feelings for Liora?” than “what are these feelings I’m experiencing when Jesus teaches? How can I reconcile this new information with what I learned growing up?”
The book is also long. Unbearably long. Many things are repeated, there are too many unnecessary details, and things of great importance receive a trifle amount of page room, while items of no importance get extra space. Then it ends rather abruptly, leaving too many loose ends to make me feel like the story wraps up.
My final gripe is how often everyone (and I mean *everyone*) cries in this book. Now, I’m giving Liora and Sariah a break, because they were probably hormonal teenagers who developed earth shattering crushes that completely changed them and they couldn’t help it. Okay. Fine. But by the end of the book, I was literally rolling my eyes in exasperation every time someone else’s eyes welled up with tears, was overcome with emotion, sobbed openly, or cried without restraint. Crying in some form is almost the only expression of emotion. Is it possible that two Roman generals could cry? We’ll sure. Is it possible for a myriad of other grown men could cry openly? Also yes. But so often? It’s unlikely. It made the characters uninteresting and annoying to me, rather than making me empathetic toward them. (On a similar note, “embracing affectionately” is apparently the only way hugs can happen.)
I will say that the historical information seems well researched and is presented in such a way that makes sense to the reader. I even had a couple “aha” moments in regards to early Christianity and my own beliefs. So I did feel those details were done well.
I’m aware that this review makes me seem very critical and cynical. I’m not. The idea of this book is one that would really pique my interest normally and I’d forgive a few narrative eccentricities. This book just has too many. It’s overdone and not really done well in the first place.
The premise of this book is that of two war-hardened Roman soldiers, a general and his right hand man, are sent to Judea to investigate reports that some man, a Jesus of Nazareth, is forming a sort of army and posed a threat to Rome. While on this mission, the teachings of Jesus cause them to reflect on the beliefs they grew up learning, and the Spirit touches their hearts. It’s supposed to be about what happens to them, how their encounter with Jesus changes them, and what they do as a result.
See? An I intriguing storyline! Unfortunately, it doesn’t pan out.
The narrative isn’t consistent and sometimes it’s confusing how many times the perspective shifts between characters. In one chapter alone, we get the perspectives of Maximus, Androcles, Jershon, Liora, and Naomi. There is no clear shift between the perspectives. One sentence we’re reading Maximus’s thoughts, the next Jershon’s. Also, Maximus has the alias of Jacob when he’s in Judea and sometimes on the same page the name shifts (“Maximus said...” to “Jacob thought...”). That also gets a little confusing.
The character development feels stiff, forced, and sudden. Over the course of only a few days, Maximus becomes a completely changed man. Yes, that can happen and his heart had been prepared for quite some time. So maybe his change isn’t unexpected. But Androcles is sudden. He performs a complete 180, at nearly the end of the book. So close to the end he’s talking about Roman gods and what to believe and then suddenly he’s ready to embrace Christianity? Hmm. It just didn’t feel natural or like it was following a believable time line.
Speaking of time line, the amount of time it takes Maximus and Androcles to fall madly in love with two women, and to know that there are no other women in Rome who could be their equal (despite the fact that they have led the lives of soldiers almost exclusively for the last decade and haven’t had much, if anything, to do with society), is lightning quick and so unbelievable I kept rolling my eyes about it. I can’t tell you how many times we read about Liora and Sariah being unequaled in all the world. The repetition was wearing. The love interest also kind of shifted the import of the book from conversion to a love story. It became more about “what do I do about my feelings for Liora?” than “what are these feelings I’m experiencing when Jesus teaches? How can I reconcile this new information with what I learned growing up?”
The book is also long. Unbearably long. Many things are repeated, there are too many unnecessary details, and things of great importance receive a trifle amount of page room, while items of no importance get extra space. Then it ends rather abruptly, leaving too many loose ends to make me feel like the story wraps up.
My final gripe is how often everyone (and I mean *everyone*) cries in this book. Now, I’m giving Liora and Sariah a break, because they were probably hormonal teenagers who developed earth shattering crushes that completely changed them and they couldn’t help it. Okay. Fine. But by the end of the book, I was literally rolling my eyes in exasperation every time someone else’s eyes welled up with tears, was overcome with emotion, sobbed openly, or cried without restraint. Crying in some form is almost the only expression of emotion. Is it possible that two Roman generals could cry? We’ll sure. Is it possible for a myriad of other grown men could cry openly? Also yes. But so often? It’s unlikely. It made the characters uninteresting and annoying to me, rather than making me empathetic toward them. (On a similar note, “embracing affectionately” is apparently the only way hugs can happen.)
I will say that the historical information seems well researched and is presented in such a way that makes sense to the reader. I even had a couple “aha” moments in regards to early Christianity and my own beliefs. So I did feel those details were done well.
I’m aware that this review makes me seem very critical and cynical. I’m not. The idea of this book is one that would really pique my interest normally and I’d forgive a few narrative eccentricities. This book just has too many. It’s overdone and not really done well in the first place.
July 26, 2019
Take a closer look at the events surrounding the ministry and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Richard L. Black has done thorough research into the time and culture to bring familiar New Testament stories to life as they may have been experienced by followers of Jesus. Although the characters are fictional, it's easy to relate to their experiences and imagine yourself in their shoes, learning of Jesus for the first time and determining how to move forward in faith.
Maximus is a successful general in the Roman army, but his heart isn't in it. He is seeking truth, having realized that the Roman "gods" are just man's invention to thank, blame, or curse for their circumstances. Maximus and his best friend are commissioned to investigate Jesus Christ and determine whether his teachings and growing "army" of followers are a threat to the Roman empire.
The journey from Rome to Jerusalem includes mild peril and violence (without gory details). Some romantic interest is also introduced when Maximus and his friend meet a Jewish family and are welcomed into their home.
It was difficult for me to follow the story at first because it is written in the third person omniscient narrator style. Because it jumps from one person (or group of people) to another and describes all the emotions and thoughts of every character, I struggled to keep the facts straight or to develop an attachment to any one character until later in the story. It could easily have been written as several books in a series from different character's perspectives, possibly concluding with a final third person omniscient installment to reveal the ending.
Maximus is a successful general in the Roman army, but his heart isn't in it. He is seeking truth, having realized that the Roman "gods" are just man's invention to thank, blame, or curse for their circumstances. Maximus and his best friend are commissioned to investigate Jesus Christ and determine whether his teachings and growing "army" of followers are a threat to the Roman empire.
The journey from Rome to Jerusalem includes mild peril and violence (without gory details). Some romantic interest is also introduced when Maximus and his friend meet a Jewish family and are welcomed into their home.
It was difficult for me to follow the story at first because it is written in the third person omniscient narrator style. Because it jumps from one person (or group of people) to another and describes all the emotions and thoughts of every character, I struggled to keep the facts straight or to develop an attachment to any one character until later in the story. It could easily have been written as several books in a series from different character's perspectives, possibly concluding with a final third person omniscient installment to reveal the ending.
June 18, 2020
This story was very powerful and moving. Maximus is a man torn apart by war, the internal battles that he faces are heart wrenching and sad. His transformation, from the moment that he first saw the Savior, to when he prayed to Heavenly Father, to defending the Savior to Pilate is so powerful. Even though the story is fictional, I still loved how the author described the emotions that each character feels as they come to their own understanding of the Savior and the reality that he is the Son of God.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2018
This is incredibly written!! I loved this story so much! I want to read it every year prior to Easter!!!
August 28, 2025
There are certainly some good ideas at play in Maximus, but unfortunately Richard Black doesn’t have the authorial skills to pull it off. A good biblical epic novel should be filled with spectacle and excitement, with an equal emphasis on strong Christian theology and biblical events. There’s not nearly enough happening in this book to justify its 438 pages, and the few stories that are at play end up going nowhere. It’s mundane and run-of-the-mill with some problematically omitted theology, but it’s probably entertaining enough if you’re looking for more of a romantic drama set in ancient Rome/Judea.
In A.D. 33, battle-weary young Roman general Lucius Fabius Maximus and his deputy commander Lartius Androcles are given a unique assignment by a curious senator: they are to travel to the Roman province Judea governed by Pontius Pilate and pose as Jews. Their job involves spying on a mysterious man named Jesus, who has recently been performing miracles and amassing a loyal group of religious followers, which has enraged the Jewish religious leaders. Maximus and Androcles, posing as Jewish Egyptians Jacob and Levi, survive a dangerous sea voyage and arrive in the coastal village of Capernaum, where they quickly become involved with fisherman Jershon and his family, particularly his beautiful daughter and niece. As their attachment to the simple family and their fascination for Jesus grow, Maximus and Androcles find themselves questioning everything they have ever known and wondering if there will be any going back after a journey that has changed their lives.
Richard Black does not come from an author’s background (he’s worked as a stockbroker and in the Department of Defense), but he does seem to have a passion for the subject matter. Black clearly has done a ton of research into both Roman and Jewish history, and he does a great job of linking the religious, political, and societal complexities of both nations in Maximus. The conflict between Jesus’ teachings and the Jewish religious leaders has been done many times before but is still used to great effect here. Lloyd C. Douglas’ The Robe is an obvious influence, and Lew Wallace’s Ben-Hur and Henryk Sienkiewicz’s Quo Vadis also seem to serve as inspirations. Maximus is a novel suited for an epic style, the traditional kind with a dizzying scale, dazzling action sequences, and an enormous cast of colorful characters. Instead, Black subdues the storyline with the simplicity of a novelization, focusing on the inner turmoil of the characters and confining his narrative to a couple of locations, a small cast of predictable characters, and an extremely rushed setpiece in Jerusalem.
The book begins interestingly with Maximus’ commission from senator Gaius Valerius, but the excitement quickly fizzles as we spend an insane amount of time on Jershon’s family’s lives and the interactions between them and the undercover Romans. It’s like Black totally forgets that he’s writing a story about an investigation and a political conflict; he dips back into those themes occasionally, but the vast majority of the narrative is dominated by repetitive, exhausting relationship drama. Maximus and Androcles’ journey begins in Rome and takes them to peaceful Capernaum and eventually chaotic Jerusalem; their role as undercover Jews gives them a unique opportunity to view Jewish prejudice and Roman oppression from the other side of the glass. The entire first half of the novel feels like an extended introduction, but it ends up building into absolutely nothing in the second half.
Black’s pacing goes at the speed of a turtle wearing a cement backpack, and there are absolutely no memorable events whatsoever in the second half of Maximus, just lots of conversation and inner turmoil. This is supposed to be an epic! Where are the swordfights? Where are the outlandish betrayals? Where are the gaudy parades and natural disasters and showstopping battles? Ted Dekker’s A.D. 30 isn’t perfect, but I hold it as the standard of a twenty-first century biblical epic novel. The Passover sequences are pretty interesting, but I was incredibly disappointed by the way Black chose to portray the biblical events at the end of the book. Jesus’ arrest, trials, and crucifixion are given a whopping five pages after three hundred pages of relationship drama. The conclusion feels like a bit of a copout — — and Jesus’ resurrection receives a single throwaway line in the epilogue.
Christian fiction often suffers a poor reputation simply because many of its writers come off as amateur, preachy, and undisciplined in their writing — it’s a problem that has annoyed me for years, and unfortunately, Maximus suffers from the same issues that plague the majority of the genre. Black’s writing showcases an excruciating amount of telling-not-showing, which irked me more and more as the dialogue went from nonexistent to overwhelming and tedious. The exposition paragraphs are unforgivably lengthy, repetitive, and laborious, and the transitions are sloppy, riddled with weird time jumps, editing errors, and some modern-sounding dialogue. Black also has an unfortunate habit of recounting the same scenes and details from multiple characters’ perspectives ad nauseum. Unfortunately, there’s nothing in this narrative you haven’t seen before if you’re a fan of biblical epics; aside from Maximus’ defense of Jesus and Androcles’ interaction with Him at the cross, the story of Jesus unfolds largely outside of the realm of the storyline. I did appreciate that Jesus’ only dialogue in Maximus is taken directly from Scripture, but it still would have been nice to see more direct interaction or impact between Jesus and the novel’s characters.
I actually started reading Maximus because of the title character’s apparent resemblance to my beloved fictional husband Maximus Decimus Meridius from Gladiator, but while they do share a few similarities, the Maximus of this book mostly seems to be a conglomeration of Lucius Catanius from King of Kings, Marcellus Gallio from The Robe, and Clavius Aquila Valerius Niger from Risen. Our protagonist, the titular Lucius Fabius Maximus, is immediately presented as a man at odds with the ruthless, ambitious ways of Rome; he is disillusioned with the constant conquests, disgusted by the patricians’ vanity, and questioning the very tenets of Roman society, including their gods. Searching for peace, he accepts his mission and discovers a new way of life in Judea; his curiosity about Jesus quickly turns to a choice to follow Him as the Messiah. I wish Maximus had had some sort of inner conflict to overcome — maybe some sort of prejudice or heavy guilt from the past — because his journey is pretty straightforward and easy, all things considered. I also wish that Maximus’ personal relationship with Christ was explored in more depth: he prays one single, curious prayer to God, and we do not see any more initiative from Maximus to pursue that personal relationship. I would have preferred several conversations between Maximus and the Lord (maybe even some moments of doubting or denial that he had to overcome), and I really would have loved to see how Maximus’ conversion to Christ changed his entire life rather than just reinforcing the innate goodness he already had.
Maximus and Androcles, childhood best friends and surrogate brothers, have a strong dynamic that works well throughout the novel. They have very different personalities, strengths, and weaknesses, and they play well off each other. Maximus and Androcles annoyed me at times, as they seemed weirdly childish and immature (and oddly prone to use violence and threats even after their conversions), but it’s not a constant issue. They are actually referred to as Jacob and Levi by the narrative when they are undercover; it can be a bit confusing at times, but I appreciated the implication that their entire identities are overturned by what happens in Capernaum. Maximus and Androcles also become very hyper-focused on their romances with Liora and Sariah, which cheapens their entire purpose for being in Judea and lessens the impact of their choice to follow Christ.
Maximus’ love interest, the beautiful Liora, seems fascinating at first as an outspoken, nonconformative young woman who longs to be near her extended family, find a godly husband, and follow Jesus in His travels. However, her character development is totally dropped once she meets Maximus — she spends the rest of the book making eyes at him across the room, crying when he leaves, and sitting quietly while her family talks. The romance between Maximus and Liora comes about because each is (1) attractive, (2) in close proximity, and (3) longing for a mate, but I never felt like I understood their intense, never-felt-this-way-before love story. Their love-at-first-sight dynamic did not appeal to me at all, especially as we see very few interactions between them and virtually no significant development in their relationship. The concept (a Roman soldier falling in love with a traditional Jewish girl) is of course appealing, and I appreciated how it complemented the themes of the novel — the idea that Jesus’ coming heralds a new age where Jews and Gentiles are no longer separated. Maximus and Liora’s love story falls pretty flat.
The supporting characters are pretty standard for the genre. Black does attempt to give his characters some depth, which is admirable even as that development fizzles out in the second half of Maximus. The characters tend to be overly characterized as either sympathetic or unlikable, and the cut-and-dry stereotypes abound as Black tries to pull all the threads of the narrative together. He overemphasizes the goodness of his heroic characters while providing no clear, singular antagonists — the collective religious leaders and Roman oppressors create conflict, but that’s about it. Ezra is one of the better characters of the novel: a prodigal-turned-scholar who helps Maximus with some philosophical questions and later joins him in his quest to decide if Jesus is the Messiah or not. Black sets up some of the other characters — David, Sariah, Lamech, and others — to play important roles, but their development is also largely abandoned. Several historical characters appear as well, including Emperor Tiberius, Pontius Pilate, and Flacchus Aurelius (the name given to the Roman centurion whose adopted son Jesus healed).
True to the Church of the Latter-Day Saints’ theology, Black places a huge emphasis on the traditional roles and importance of the family unit throughout Maximus. Jershon and his family are as traditional as they come — the father is the breadwinner and spiritual leader of the family, the mother is the homemaker and tender to the children, the adult children are independent and seeking marriage, and the entire family lives together in a balanced codependence. Their relationships are very wholesome and positive, and I appreciated how Black depicted them struggling with issues and relying on one another for comfort and support. It’s the positive influence of Jershon’s family that leads Maximus and Androcles to Christ, which I think is a step in the right direction for any Christian novel. So often, it’s easy to split up fictional families for the sake of drama, tragedy, and backstory fodder, but I like that Black let Jershon’s family be a beacon of how a godly family should be.
Black interestingly approaches the life of Jesus from the philosophical perspective of a curious Roman, and he emphasizes that Maximus has many questions that can only be satisfied with the truth of the Gospel. Maximus’ spiritual journey begins with his questioning of Ezra, who gets into some pretty deep theology about the nature of God and His role in the Old Testament stories. I appreciated that Black did not try to shoehorn a bunch of modern theology into the story but rather let the characters come to natural conclusions based on their observations and their knowledge of the law. A good chunk of the storyline revolves around the difficulty of rejecting tradition in favor of a new way, a reality that is difficult but necessary. The characters are great illustrations of the truth that faith does not come from seeing and believing things, but by receiving assurance from God in your heart. Black’s biggest criticisms in this book are religious hypocrisy, oppressive governments, and unnecessary violence, all of which are admirable.
Black chooses to emphasize a variety of facets in Jesus’ life and ministry — His identity as the long-awaited Messiah, his working of miracles, His challenging of the status quo, etc. We see the inherent power of Jesus’ presence and the undeniability of seeing God work firsthand. A prophet, teacher, and wanderer who clearly is more than a mere man, Jesus is presented as the Prince of Peace, arriving in humility and peace instead of raising an army against oppressors. Though He neglects Jesus’ role as a soul-savior, Black does highlight Jesus’ divinity very deftly, and the weight of acknowledging Him as the Son of God is given its due import. I just wish the depiction of Jesus could have been a little less one-dimensional; Black includes virtually no mention of Jesus bearing the burden of humanity’s sins or the need for a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the wrath of God. That’s a pretty critical omission in a story revolving around the last days before the crucifixion.
The other primary idea in Maximus that I really struggled with was the lack of acknowledgement of sin. From the beginning, we learn that Maximus is different from his Roman countrymen because he believes that man is innately good, and Black never refutes this claim but rather reinforces it. Ezra encourages Maximus by telling him that God would never hold people accountable for laws they haven’t been taught… but the Bible clearly teaches that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and all must pay the wages of sin if not covered by the blood of Jesus. Even if you haven’t grown up in a Christian culture, you’re still responsible for knowing God in the ways He provides: through creation, through the revelation of His Word, etc. Again, Black severely glosses over the need for Jesus to die on the cross — to sacrifice Himself for the sins of the world — and totally omits the concept of God’s judgment on sinners, focusing singularly on His love and kindness. It’s a pretty significant divergence in theology for me, and I don’t know if that’s a representation of LDS theology or just Black’s personal beliefs. Either way, telling only part of the Gospel is as bad as telling none of it, and I was disappointed that Black left out what could have made Maximus so much more impactful.
Maximus should either have been a lot shorter or a lot more complex and mature in its storytelling. It’s a quick read that fails to capture the scope of an epic, instead focusing on a juvenile overtelling of the same few plot points over and over. I enjoy a good ancient romance, but I was really disappointed in Black’s amateur handling of it and virtually every other angle of this book. I gave it three stars because there is a genuine effort here to illustrate the power of Jesus and provide a Roman’s perspective on His last days on earth, but the positive qualities of this book are unfortunately outweighed by its negatives.
In A.D. 33, battle-weary young Roman general Lucius Fabius Maximus and his deputy commander Lartius Androcles are given a unique assignment by a curious senator: they are to travel to the Roman province Judea governed by Pontius Pilate and pose as Jews. Their job involves spying on a mysterious man named Jesus, who has recently been performing miracles and amassing a loyal group of religious followers, which has enraged the Jewish religious leaders. Maximus and Androcles, posing as Jewish Egyptians Jacob and Levi, survive a dangerous sea voyage and arrive in the coastal village of Capernaum, where they quickly become involved with fisherman Jershon and his family, particularly his beautiful daughter and niece. As their attachment to the simple family and their fascination for Jesus grow, Maximus and Androcles find themselves questioning everything they have ever known and wondering if there will be any going back after a journey that has changed their lives.
Richard Black does not come from an author’s background (he’s worked as a stockbroker and in the Department of Defense), but he does seem to have a passion for the subject matter. Black clearly has done a ton of research into both Roman and Jewish history, and he does a great job of linking the religious, political, and societal complexities of both nations in Maximus. The conflict between Jesus’ teachings and the Jewish religious leaders has been done many times before but is still used to great effect here. Lloyd C. Douglas’ The Robe is an obvious influence, and Lew Wallace’s Ben-Hur and Henryk Sienkiewicz’s Quo Vadis also seem to serve as inspirations. Maximus is a novel suited for an epic style, the traditional kind with a dizzying scale, dazzling action sequences, and an enormous cast of colorful characters. Instead, Black subdues the storyline with the simplicity of a novelization, focusing on the inner turmoil of the characters and confining his narrative to a couple of locations, a small cast of predictable characters, and an extremely rushed setpiece in Jerusalem.
The book begins interestingly with Maximus’ commission from senator Gaius Valerius, but the excitement quickly fizzles as we spend an insane amount of time on Jershon’s family’s lives and the interactions between them and the undercover Romans. It’s like Black totally forgets that he’s writing a story about an investigation and a political conflict; he dips back into those themes occasionally, but the vast majority of the narrative is dominated by repetitive, exhausting relationship drama. Maximus and Androcles’ journey begins in Rome and takes them to peaceful Capernaum and eventually chaotic Jerusalem; their role as undercover Jews gives them a unique opportunity to view Jewish prejudice and Roman oppression from the other side of the glass. The entire first half of the novel feels like an extended introduction, but it ends up building into absolutely nothing in the second half.
Black’s pacing goes at the speed of a turtle wearing a cement backpack, and there are absolutely no memorable events whatsoever in the second half of Maximus, just lots of conversation and inner turmoil. This is supposed to be an epic! Where are the swordfights? Where are the outlandish betrayals? Where are the gaudy parades and natural disasters and showstopping battles? Ted Dekker’s A.D. 30 isn’t perfect, but I hold it as the standard of a twenty-first century biblical epic novel. The Passover sequences are pretty interesting, but I was incredibly disappointed by the way Black chose to portray the biblical events at the end of the book. Jesus’ arrest, trials, and crucifixion are given a whopping five pages after three hundred pages of relationship drama. The conclusion feels like a bit of a copout — — and Jesus’ resurrection receives a single throwaway line in the epilogue.
Christian fiction often suffers a poor reputation simply because many of its writers come off as amateur, preachy, and undisciplined in their writing — it’s a problem that has annoyed me for years, and unfortunately, Maximus suffers from the same issues that plague the majority of the genre. Black’s writing showcases an excruciating amount of telling-not-showing, which irked me more and more as the dialogue went from nonexistent to overwhelming and tedious. The exposition paragraphs are unforgivably lengthy, repetitive, and laborious, and the transitions are sloppy, riddled with weird time jumps, editing errors, and some modern-sounding dialogue. Black also has an unfortunate habit of recounting the same scenes and details from multiple characters’ perspectives ad nauseum. Unfortunately, there’s nothing in this narrative you haven’t seen before if you’re a fan of biblical epics; aside from Maximus’ defense of Jesus and Androcles’ interaction with Him at the cross, the story of Jesus unfolds largely outside of the realm of the storyline. I did appreciate that Jesus’ only dialogue in Maximus is taken directly from Scripture, but it still would have been nice to see more direct interaction or impact between Jesus and the novel’s characters.
I actually started reading Maximus because of the title character’s apparent resemblance to my beloved fictional husband Maximus Decimus Meridius from Gladiator, but while they do share a few similarities, the Maximus of this book mostly seems to be a conglomeration of Lucius Catanius from King of Kings, Marcellus Gallio from The Robe, and Clavius Aquila Valerius Niger from Risen. Our protagonist, the titular Lucius Fabius Maximus, is immediately presented as a man at odds with the ruthless, ambitious ways of Rome; he is disillusioned with the constant conquests, disgusted by the patricians’ vanity, and questioning the very tenets of Roman society, including their gods. Searching for peace, he accepts his mission and discovers a new way of life in Judea; his curiosity about Jesus quickly turns to a choice to follow Him as the Messiah. I wish Maximus had had some sort of inner conflict to overcome — maybe some sort of prejudice or heavy guilt from the past — because his journey is pretty straightforward and easy, all things considered. I also wish that Maximus’ personal relationship with Christ was explored in more depth: he prays one single, curious prayer to God, and we do not see any more initiative from Maximus to pursue that personal relationship. I would have preferred several conversations between Maximus and the Lord (maybe even some moments of doubting or denial that he had to overcome), and I really would have loved to see how Maximus’ conversion to Christ changed his entire life rather than just reinforcing the innate goodness he already had.
Maximus and Androcles, childhood best friends and surrogate brothers, have a strong dynamic that works well throughout the novel. They have very different personalities, strengths, and weaknesses, and they play well off each other. Maximus and Androcles annoyed me at times, as they seemed weirdly childish and immature (and oddly prone to use violence and threats even after their conversions), but it’s not a constant issue. They are actually referred to as Jacob and Levi by the narrative when they are undercover; it can be a bit confusing at times, but I appreciated the implication that their entire identities are overturned by what happens in Capernaum. Maximus and Androcles also become very hyper-focused on their romances with Liora and Sariah, which cheapens their entire purpose for being in Judea and lessens the impact of their choice to follow Christ.
Maximus’ love interest, the beautiful Liora, seems fascinating at first as an outspoken, nonconformative young woman who longs to be near her extended family, find a godly husband, and follow Jesus in His travels. However, her character development is totally dropped once she meets Maximus — she spends the rest of the book making eyes at him across the room, crying when he leaves, and sitting quietly while her family talks. The romance between Maximus and Liora comes about because each is (1) attractive, (2) in close proximity, and (3) longing for a mate, but I never felt like I understood their intense, never-felt-this-way-before love story. Their love-at-first-sight dynamic did not appeal to me at all, especially as we see very few interactions between them and virtually no significant development in their relationship. The concept (a Roman soldier falling in love with a traditional Jewish girl) is of course appealing, and I appreciated how it complemented the themes of the novel — the idea that Jesus’ coming heralds a new age where Jews and Gentiles are no longer separated. Maximus and Liora’s love story falls pretty flat.
The supporting characters are pretty standard for the genre. Black does attempt to give his characters some depth, which is admirable even as that development fizzles out in the second half of Maximus. The characters tend to be overly characterized as either sympathetic or unlikable, and the cut-and-dry stereotypes abound as Black tries to pull all the threads of the narrative together. He overemphasizes the goodness of his heroic characters while providing no clear, singular antagonists — the collective religious leaders and Roman oppressors create conflict, but that’s about it. Ezra is one of the better characters of the novel: a prodigal-turned-scholar who helps Maximus with some philosophical questions and later joins him in his quest to decide if Jesus is the Messiah or not. Black sets up some of the other characters — David, Sariah, Lamech, and others — to play important roles, but their development is also largely abandoned. Several historical characters appear as well, including Emperor Tiberius, Pontius Pilate, and Flacchus Aurelius (the name given to the Roman centurion whose adopted son Jesus healed).
True to the Church of the Latter-Day Saints’ theology, Black places a huge emphasis on the traditional roles and importance of the family unit throughout Maximus. Jershon and his family are as traditional as they come — the father is the breadwinner and spiritual leader of the family, the mother is the homemaker and tender to the children, the adult children are independent and seeking marriage, and the entire family lives together in a balanced codependence. Their relationships are very wholesome and positive, and I appreciated how Black depicted them struggling with issues and relying on one another for comfort and support. It’s the positive influence of Jershon’s family that leads Maximus and Androcles to Christ, which I think is a step in the right direction for any Christian novel. So often, it’s easy to split up fictional families for the sake of drama, tragedy, and backstory fodder, but I like that Black let Jershon’s family be a beacon of how a godly family should be.
Black interestingly approaches the life of Jesus from the philosophical perspective of a curious Roman, and he emphasizes that Maximus has many questions that can only be satisfied with the truth of the Gospel. Maximus’ spiritual journey begins with his questioning of Ezra, who gets into some pretty deep theology about the nature of God and His role in the Old Testament stories. I appreciated that Black did not try to shoehorn a bunch of modern theology into the story but rather let the characters come to natural conclusions based on their observations and their knowledge of the law. A good chunk of the storyline revolves around the difficulty of rejecting tradition in favor of a new way, a reality that is difficult but necessary. The characters are great illustrations of the truth that faith does not come from seeing and believing things, but by receiving assurance from God in your heart. Black’s biggest criticisms in this book are religious hypocrisy, oppressive governments, and unnecessary violence, all of which are admirable.
Black chooses to emphasize a variety of facets in Jesus’ life and ministry — His identity as the long-awaited Messiah, his working of miracles, His challenging of the status quo, etc. We see the inherent power of Jesus’ presence and the undeniability of seeing God work firsthand. A prophet, teacher, and wanderer who clearly is more than a mere man, Jesus is presented as the Prince of Peace, arriving in humility and peace instead of raising an army against oppressors. Though He neglects Jesus’ role as a soul-savior, Black does highlight Jesus’ divinity very deftly, and the weight of acknowledging Him as the Son of God is given its due import. I just wish the depiction of Jesus could have been a little less one-dimensional; Black includes virtually no mention of Jesus bearing the burden of humanity’s sins or the need for a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the wrath of God. That’s a pretty critical omission in a story revolving around the last days before the crucifixion.
The other primary idea in Maximus that I really struggled with was the lack of acknowledgement of sin. From the beginning, we learn that Maximus is different from his Roman countrymen because he believes that man is innately good, and Black never refutes this claim but rather reinforces it. Ezra encourages Maximus by telling him that God would never hold people accountable for laws they haven’t been taught… but the Bible clearly teaches that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and all must pay the wages of sin if not covered by the blood of Jesus. Even if you haven’t grown up in a Christian culture, you’re still responsible for knowing God in the ways He provides: through creation, through the revelation of His Word, etc. Again, Black severely glosses over the need for Jesus to die on the cross — to sacrifice Himself for the sins of the world — and totally omits the concept of God’s judgment on sinners, focusing singularly on His love and kindness. It’s a pretty significant divergence in theology for me, and I don’t know if that’s a representation of LDS theology or just Black’s personal beliefs. Either way, telling only part of the Gospel is as bad as telling none of it, and I was disappointed that Black left out what could have made Maximus so much more impactful.
Maximus should either have been a lot shorter or a lot more complex and mature in its storytelling. It’s a quick read that fails to capture the scope of an epic, instead focusing on a juvenile overtelling of the same few plot points over and over. I enjoy a good ancient romance, but I was really disappointed in Black’s amateur handling of it and virtually every other angle of this book. I gave it three stars because there is a genuine effort here to illustrate the power of Jesus and provide a Roman’s perspective on His last days on earth, but the positive qualities of this book are unfortunately outweighed by its negatives.
March 15, 2023
I saw this at the library and it looked familiar to a book I had read back in 2020 at my family cabin. Lo and behold, I have and I still love this book. It's written so well, and I love the characters. It's a historical fiction with added characters by the author. It was so so good. Loved every second of it.
March 2, 2015
MAXIMUS by Richard L. Black is a inspirational historical fiction. An interesting tale, that is familiar but told in a different perception. The re-telling of the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth. Told though the eyes of Maximus, a General who commands legions of up to men, and his second-in-command, Androcles.
While, an interesting and intriguing, I had a hard time connecting with some of the characters. I felt they lacked true character. We all know the story of Jesus', his crucifixion, his death, and his resurrection, but we hardly hear stories of Maximus, who begins to follow Jesus, and tells Pilate he is not a threat to Rome and others, who was present in Jesus' life.
While, this is an enjoyable and satisfying read, it was missing something. I had a hard time connecting to some of the characters, but with this said it was an enjoyable read. We find faith, healing, learning to follow your heart, and opening to the unexpected circumstances of life. This is the story of Romans, Judeans, soldiers, fishermen, Jerusalem, family, Galileans, trust, justice, injustice, a journey of life and faith. This author definitely shows his deep, and extensive research into this tragic story. I would read another story written by this author. He did a just job of this story, you can easily tell this was a labor of love. Any inspirational readers, historical fiction readers, and anyone who enjoys reading of Bible characters. In the end an enjoyable and satisfying read.
*Received for an honest review from the publisher and Net Galley*
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: Sweet
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
While, an interesting and intriguing, I had a hard time connecting with some of the characters. I felt they lacked true character. We all know the story of Jesus', his crucifixion, his death, and his resurrection, but we hardly hear stories of Maximus, who begins to follow Jesus, and tells Pilate he is not a threat to Rome and others, who was present in Jesus' life.
While, this is an enjoyable and satisfying read, it was missing something. I had a hard time connecting to some of the characters, but with this said it was an enjoyable read. We find faith, healing, learning to follow your heart, and opening to the unexpected circumstances of life. This is the story of Romans, Judeans, soldiers, fishermen, Jerusalem, family, Galileans, trust, justice, injustice, a journey of life and faith. This author definitely shows his deep, and extensive research into this tragic story. I would read another story written by this author. He did a just job of this story, you can easily tell this was a labor of love. Any inspirational readers, historical fiction readers, and anyone who enjoys reading of Bible characters. In the end an enjoyable and satisfying read.
*Received for an honest review from the publisher and Net Galley*
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: Sweet
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
July 17, 2022
Alright, alright, I saw this title and I thought it would be some war book for a young boy reader but this book was AMAZING. It focuses on Maximus and his friend Amberclese was they go undercover as Jews to check out a man named Jesus who Pilot is afraid is a threat to Rome. As their journey is beginning a young lady named Leoria and her brother David are making their way to become followers of Jesus as his fame spreads aboard, they move in with the sweet relatives who live along Galilee and soon the four young people's paths cross. With their new names of Jacob and Levi the two Romans make a chance meeting with Leoria's family and find themselves becoming one of them. They begin to loose track of their mission and have to make a swift leave of the home...leaving a few broken hearts. Fate brings them all back together again as they all draw nearer to Christ but Maximus has a new mission, to save their Messiah and to figure out his life later.
SUCH A GOOD BOOK! Wow I really loved this book, it focused on the characters more than Christ but their interactions with him reminds you that you don't have to walk with him to believe. This is a Christian book and I would recommend this to any young reader because it has a great story with great characters. Super well done!
SUCH A GOOD BOOK! Wow I really loved this book, it focused on the characters more than Christ but their interactions with him reminds you that you don't have to walk with him to believe. This is a Christian book and I would recommend this to any young reader because it has a great story with great characters. Super well done!
January 25, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this book…. the story is very familiar but told from an unfamiliar perspective. Maximus works for Emperor Tiberius and is sent on a mission to discover if Jesus is a threat to the Roman Empire. In his journey, Maximus is taken under the guidance of a Jew, Ezra. In a Jewish disguise, he starts to follow Jesus of Nazareth, and something unexpected happens. He believes. He experiences the peace and love of brotherhood taught by this Rabbi, witnesses first hand many miracles performed, and comes to have a personal relationship with God, believing Jesus to be the Messiah He claims to be. He reports to Pilate that Jesus is not a threat to Rome but only to the Pharisees. But we all know how that story ends. This book is about following your heart and being open to the unexpected. While I have read about the crucifixion of Jesus and the events leading, many times, I have never read a story like this. This book is definitely one I would recommend to many.
Disclaimer: I received an advance copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Disclaimer: I received an advance copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2022
I really enjoyed this book!! I loved the unique perspective to one of the most important and influential periods of history! I loved getting to see Jesus of Nazareth through the perspective of a Roman soldier.
I do have to say, the romance in this book was exceptionally cheesy and overplayed. The girls also cried WAY too much! If there had been less emphasis on the romance aspect, I definitely would have given this book 5 stars.
I do have to say, the romance in this book was exceptionally cheesy and overplayed. The girls also cried WAY too much! If there had been less emphasis on the romance aspect, I definitely would have given this book 5 stars.
October 14, 2015
I really loved this book!! I was very pleasantly surprised at the wonderful story line and the new display on the life of Jesus. I learned a lot about Jews and the way of line in Jesus's time. I want to read this book every year about this time to prepare myself for Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
April 2, 2015
I found the narration and dialogue much too modern for the setting. It was also an incredibly slow build-up and I couldn't find it in myself to finish it. The premise is intensely interesting to me, though, and I probably would have greatly enjoyed it if not for these two issues.
January 4, 2022
I liked it well enough, though it had its flaws. I don't always rate on how well a book is written, but what is learned and the inspiration it gives me. The story was enjoyable, but the characters were all just too perfect. I am a sucker for the big-strong-defender-archetype.
November 1, 2021
Thoughly enjoyed this. Think 'The Chosen' series with Roman perspectives and slight romance. Interesting insights by author.
March 5, 2015
Maximus
By
L Black
Maximus has never known peace. In command of one of Rome's finest legions, he and his closest friend, Androcles, have fought side by side to uphold the glory of the empire.
But at the end of a long and bloody campaign, Maximus begins to question his purpose, his past, and the gods he has been taught to believe in.
When word reaches Rome of a man named Jesus who is causing a stir in faraway Judaea, Maximus and Androcles are sent, disguised as Jews, to ascertain the truth of the situation: Is this Jesus merely a radical preacher, or is he instigating a revolution against Rome?
As Maximus immerses himself in Jewish culture, he must confront questions that could change his life: Is it possible this carpenter from Nazareth is the Son of God? Is it possible for a man of war to live a life of peace?
REVIEW
When I read the synopsis for Maximus, my first thoughts were of the classic novel that I have read and has been memorialized in celluloid, The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas. I remember this story of the roman soldier and his discovery of “the Christ”. Maximus, is of much the same premise, but instead of a tribune, this time the Roman soldier is none other than a decorated General, who has come to investigate the rumors and stories of this Jesus of Galilee who some claim to be the Messiah, and a pretender to the throne of Judea.
The great general of the Roman army, who has led a legion of war hardened men, has three short weeks to transform himself and his commander (and best friend) into passable Jewish merchants, so that they can go into the back country of Judea and mingle with the crowds without raising eyebrows and learn more about this “upstart”.
Through the cover of bringing the two “converts” up to speed, Ezra (the Jewish merchant and Rabbi) provides them with a brief history of the Jewish people, from creation to the claims of Jesus of Nazareth being of the linage of the House of David.
I enjoyed how Mr. Black worked the two “Roman Jews” into the very fabric of the last few weeks of Jesus’ ministry. Because of Maximus’ position of reporting to Pilate on Jesus, he found himself in Pilate’s presence at critical times when the Sanhedrin leadership was pushing for Jesus’ arrest and death. Watching both men struggle with their inner demons and at the same time, the discovery and wonderment of the Jewish Jehovah was interesting. These sections were thoughtful and well written, especially the scene where Maximus comes to grip with his own acceptance of God. The theological message was well presented between the folds of action, as the two men sought answers to who Jesus was, for both the Roman Empire, and finally for themselves.
My only drawback and the only issue I have with this book is that I feel that in the zeal to present his theological message, though a very good and sound one, Mr. Black dropped the ball in other areas of import. The storyline is an excellent one. The love story, within the story is delightful. But, I felt there were shortcuts taken on researching the historical aspects of the novel. I feel that with a little more work, this good novel could become a great novel. All the parts are here. There are just some areas that need to be corrected, filled out, and finished.
Because of this, it has been difficult to rate this novel. If I were to rate it on the story and what Mr. Black did with it, I would give it a good 4.5 stars for the story. But in the area of application of research and demonstration of knowledge historical and cultural subject matter, I would rate the novel with 3 stars for technical issues.
Hello Richard, thank you for coming by Shade Tree Book Reviews. It was interesting that you worked the story of the final days of Christ from both a Jewish sideliner’s point of view and from a Roman’s point of view.
How were you able to resolve the issue of such divergent thought and philosophy of these two cultures to come to such a cohesive work?
First of all let me explain that I wanted to make sure that the story portrayed within the pages of Maximus was true to events within the KJV New Testament. I have read the New Testament many times and am familiar with the stories and the attitudes of the various peoples represented within its pages. The Jewish perspective was easy. We have many examples in the NT of disciples and non-disciples perspective. Not all non-disciples were “anti” Jesus of Nazareth; they simply didn’t “hear the voice” or comprehend the message or the messenger. The detractors were also portrayed many times in the New Testament. They were described as vehement in their persecution and zeal to find a crack in the armor of Jesus. Their poisonous attitude was spawned from jealously, guilt, ignorance and fear. There were even those that believed His message but were unwilling to make the sacrifice necessary to commit to discipleship - e.g. Nicodemus, and the wealthy young lawyer.
The question of gentiles (non-Jews) is less defined. I did what I suppose most authors do, I closed my eyes and asked the question – If I were there and knew nothing of this Nazarene, or of God for that matter, simply stumbled across Jesus of Nazareth and observed his actions, what would I think? What would I do? How would I feel? Would I be sympathetic or apathetic? I had to take a step back from my own knowledge and belief and ask myself – what if this were me?
Maximus was in that place that a lot of men find themselves; dissatisfied with his life and current situation. But he was humble and receptive to new ideas and looking for change, so Jesus’ message and example hit a chord deep within him. Also, the family of Jershon and the mentorship of Ezra had an illuminating affect on him. He had no idea when he accepted the assignment from Emperor Tiberius and boarded the Egyptian ship to Judea what he would encounter, but he put himself in a position to receive inspiration. Many of us want change in our lives but are unwilling to take the risk of abandoning our preconceptions and pride and opening our hearts and minds to real lasting change and then committing to the work and sacrifice that change may demand from us. Maximus found himself in the “Bermuda Triangle” of life changing opportunity and committed to the change.
How did you come up with the idea for an undercover Roman soldier investigating the supposed Christ in Judea?
The word “undercover” has a contemporary feel to it. There were certainly spies mentioned in the Bible. Moses sent “spies” into the Promised Land before sending the children of Israel to inhabit it. There were Roman and Roman conscripts throughout Judea at the time of Christ. But my thinking was that a Roman soldier would have less access and not be able to get as close to the center of the storm as a simple Jew would. Maximus and Androcles by virtue of their disguise were able to have unprecedented and equal access to these events without raising suspicion – it seemed logical to have them pose as common Jews and add a deeper dimension of discovery to their mission.
Do you plan on a sequel to this story? A continuing story of the early church?
Hopefully the book, like a good rock-concert, ends with the concert-goers/readers clamoring for more – at least this is my hope. My own wife when she read the ending said, “That was abrupt.” But in my heart it was time to end the story with a “hopeful” conclusion. There are a thousand questions the reader could ask and it lends itself to a second book. I have begun to jot down thoughts, as they come to me, about that story. But it all really depends on the success of Maximus.
Tell us a little about yourself. What are some of the things you enjoy doing for fun?
I love good books and good movies. I love seeing at the end of a movie the tagline – Based on the Novel by -----. I love to travel and I love the ocean. I grew up in San Diego. The ocean invigorates me. It inspires me. It heals me. It makes me think bigger thoughts. It makes me want to throw off my self-imposed limits of thinking and accomplishment. It makes me want to be better, grow, succeed, reach-out, expand, create. I am a creative hands-on person. I really shouldn’t be in sales; I should be a carpenter or an auto-mechanic. I love working on cars with my four sons. It is the highlight of my Saturdays during the summer – diving into some broken car. I’ve recently enjoyed building bookcases and furniture for my children and myself. Of course, who can deny the joy I receive from being with my 3 grandchildren – that truly is a glimpse of Heaven.
What types of books do you enjoy readings? Who are your favorite authors?
Historical Fiction. I cut my teeth on Michener, Wouk and Clavell. I also like Michael Crichton, I wish he were still with us. I like the way he makes you think. Crichton had an incredible gift of imaginative storytelling. I like to walk away from a book having learned something. It is my hope that readers will walk away from Maximus having learned something. That would be very gratifying to have someone say that about the book.
I also read a lot of non-fiction, particularly about World War ll and Wall Street; disparate subjects for sure.
By
L Black
Maximus has never known peace. In command of one of Rome's finest legions, he and his closest friend, Androcles, have fought side by side to uphold the glory of the empire.
But at the end of a long and bloody campaign, Maximus begins to question his purpose, his past, and the gods he has been taught to believe in.
When word reaches Rome of a man named Jesus who is causing a stir in faraway Judaea, Maximus and Androcles are sent, disguised as Jews, to ascertain the truth of the situation: Is this Jesus merely a radical preacher, or is he instigating a revolution against Rome?
As Maximus immerses himself in Jewish culture, he must confront questions that could change his life: Is it possible this carpenter from Nazareth is the Son of God? Is it possible for a man of war to live a life of peace?
REVIEW
When I read the synopsis for Maximus, my first thoughts were of the classic novel that I have read and has been memorialized in celluloid, The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas. I remember this story of the roman soldier and his discovery of “the Christ”. Maximus, is of much the same premise, but instead of a tribune, this time the Roman soldier is none other than a decorated General, who has come to investigate the rumors and stories of this Jesus of Galilee who some claim to be the Messiah, and a pretender to the throne of Judea.
The great general of the Roman army, who has led a legion of war hardened men, has three short weeks to transform himself and his commander (and best friend) into passable Jewish merchants, so that they can go into the back country of Judea and mingle with the crowds without raising eyebrows and learn more about this “upstart”.
Through the cover of bringing the two “converts” up to speed, Ezra (the Jewish merchant and Rabbi) provides them with a brief history of the Jewish people, from creation to the claims of Jesus of Nazareth being of the linage of the House of David.
I enjoyed how Mr. Black worked the two “Roman Jews” into the very fabric of the last few weeks of Jesus’ ministry. Because of Maximus’ position of reporting to Pilate on Jesus, he found himself in Pilate’s presence at critical times when the Sanhedrin leadership was pushing for Jesus’ arrest and death. Watching both men struggle with their inner demons and at the same time, the discovery and wonderment of the Jewish Jehovah was interesting. These sections were thoughtful and well written, especially the scene where Maximus comes to grip with his own acceptance of God. The theological message was well presented between the folds of action, as the two men sought answers to who Jesus was, for both the Roman Empire, and finally for themselves.
My only drawback and the only issue I have with this book is that I feel that in the zeal to present his theological message, though a very good and sound one, Mr. Black dropped the ball in other areas of import. The storyline is an excellent one. The love story, within the story is delightful. But, I felt there were shortcuts taken on researching the historical aspects of the novel. I feel that with a little more work, this good novel could become a great novel. All the parts are here. There are just some areas that need to be corrected, filled out, and finished.
Because of this, it has been difficult to rate this novel. If I were to rate it on the story and what Mr. Black did with it, I would give it a good 4.5 stars for the story. But in the area of application of research and demonstration of knowledge historical and cultural subject matter, I would rate the novel with 3 stars for technical issues.
Hello Richard, thank you for coming by Shade Tree Book Reviews. It was interesting that you worked the story of the final days of Christ from both a Jewish sideliner’s point of view and from a Roman’s point of view.
How were you able to resolve the issue of such divergent thought and philosophy of these two cultures to come to such a cohesive work?
First of all let me explain that I wanted to make sure that the story portrayed within the pages of Maximus was true to events within the KJV New Testament. I have read the New Testament many times and am familiar with the stories and the attitudes of the various peoples represented within its pages. The Jewish perspective was easy. We have many examples in the NT of disciples and non-disciples perspective. Not all non-disciples were “anti” Jesus of Nazareth; they simply didn’t “hear the voice” or comprehend the message or the messenger. The detractors were also portrayed many times in the New Testament. They were described as vehement in their persecution and zeal to find a crack in the armor of Jesus. Their poisonous attitude was spawned from jealously, guilt, ignorance and fear. There were even those that believed His message but were unwilling to make the sacrifice necessary to commit to discipleship - e.g. Nicodemus, and the wealthy young lawyer.
The question of gentiles (non-Jews) is less defined. I did what I suppose most authors do, I closed my eyes and asked the question – If I were there and knew nothing of this Nazarene, or of God for that matter, simply stumbled across Jesus of Nazareth and observed his actions, what would I think? What would I do? How would I feel? Would I be sympathetic or apathetic? I had to take a step back from my own knowledge and belief and ask myself – what if this were me?
Maximus was in that place that a lot of men find themselves; dissatisfied with his life and current situation. But he was humble and receptive to new ideas and looking for change, so Jesus’ message and example hit a chord deep within him. Also, the family of Jershon and the mentorship of Ezra had an illuminating affect on him. He had no idea when he accepted the assignment from Emperor Tiberius and boarded the Egyptian ship to Judea what he would encounter, but he put himself in a position to receive inspiration. Many of us want change in our lives but are unwilling to take the risk of abandoning our preconceptions and pride and opening our hearts and minds to real lasting change and then committing to the work and sacrifice that change may demand from us. Maximus found himself in the “Bermuda Triangle” of life changing opportunity and committed to the change.
How did you come up with the idea for an undercover Roman soldier investigating the supposed Christ in Judea?
The word “undercover” has a contemporary feel to it. There were certainly spies mentioned in the Bible. Moses sent “spies” into the Promised Land before sending the children of Israel to inhabit it. There were Roman and Roman conscripts throughout Judea at the time of Christ. But my thinking was that a Roman soldier would have less access and not be able to get as close to the center of the storm as a simple Jew would. Maximus and Androcles by virtue of their disguise were able to have unprecedented and equal access to these events without raising suspicion – it seemed logical to have them pose as common Jews and add a deeper dimension of discovery to their mission.
Do you plan on a sequel to this story? A continuing story of the early church?
Hopefully the book, like a good rock-concert, ends with the concert-goers/readers clamoring for more – at least this is my hope. My own wife when she read the ending said, “That was abrupt.” But in my heart it was time to end the story with a “hopeful” conclusion. There are a thousand questions the reader could ask and it lends itself to a second book. I have begun to jot down thoughts, as they come to me, about that story. But it all really depends on the success of Maximus.
Tell us a little about yourself. What are some of the things you enjoy doing for fun?
I love good books and good movies. I love seeing at the end of a movie the tagline – Based on the Novel by -----. I love to travel and I love the ocean. I grew up in San Diego. The ocean invigorates me. It inspires me. It heals me. It makes me think bigger thoughts. It makes me want to throw off my self-imposed limits of thinking and accomplishment. It makes me want to be better, grow, succeed, reach-out, expand, create. I am a creative hands-on person. I really shouldn’t be in sales; I should be a carpenter or an auto-mechanic. I love working on cars with my four sons. It is the highlight of my Saturdays during the summer – diving into some broken car. I’ve recently enjoyed building bookcases and furniture for my children and myself. Of course, who can deny the joy I receive from being with my 3 grandchildren – that truly is a glimpse of Heaven.
What types of books do you enjoy readings? Who are your favorite authors?
Historical Fiction. I cut my teeth on Michener, Wouk and Clavell. I also like Michael Crichton, I wish he were still with us. I like the way he makes you think. Crichton had an incredible gift of imaginative storytelling. I like to walk away from a book having learned something. It is my hope that readers will walk away from Maximus having learned something. That would be very gratifying to have someone say that about the book.
I also read a lot of non-fiction, particularly about World War ll and Wall Street; disparate subjects for sure.
May 15, 2019
This is a good book, and it's worth the read. The premise is as intriguing as it sounds and is, of course, especially fascinating for individuals that are modern-day Christians.
I read one review that critiques the book as doing "too much telling and not enough showing" and I would say that's a fair assessment. It sometimes has a bit of a laborious and bland sentence structure, in the mode of (for example): "John looked outside. It was warm outside. John liked that it was warm outside. The fact that it was warm outside made John grateful that it wasn't cold. John didn't like cold days." The sentence structure mainly works, but it just feels as though something a little more concise and engaging would work better.
I have also heard the criticism that the book does some odd things with point of view, and this is also somewhat true. In the course of a few pages you can find the story transitioning through the minds of as many as three or four different characters in the same scene, which, again, works, but just feels a little strange -- particularly since some of those characters you never enter again, or do so very, very rarely -- even in the case of some fairly substantial characters. Liora, for example, is a major character in the story, and you spend a fair amount of time in her mind during the first several chapters. Then once she meets the main character, she becomes primarily third-person and you seldom enter her point of view again. It works, but it would just work a little better if the point of view mechanisms remained a little more consistent.
Further, I would say that there are a few plot points that do feel like they tug on the edges of believability a bit. I have a history degree and a minor in anthropology, and I just feel like it seems a little bit forced and unlikely for a Roman general to be gravitating to monotheism organically, as a result of his dislike for war and politics, even before he engages with any monotheistic individuals. It just kind of feels like "where did that come from?" To me, it would feel more organic for him to gravitate toward atheism first, but maybe that's just me. There's also a bit of time compression, it feels like, in the story, because while the actual day-by-day unfolding as described, during the Capernaum part of the story, spans only a few days, one character suddenly refers to it having been "weeks." And in some ways, it feels like it should have been weeks, considering the emotional development that takes place in the characters in such a short time. I just feel like a little more consistency in terms of time expressions would help the story.
All of that having been said, this is a good book, and it's definitely worth the read. It gets a decent passing grade from me, and given that this was, I believe, the author's first book, I think he deserves some strong commendation, especially considering his research into historical and cultural detail. I would disagree with the critiques I've seen that say the characters are flat and that the book ends too abruptly. There's room for improvement, but I think those elements of the book are fine.
I read one review that critiques the book as doing "too much telling and not enough showing" and I would say that's a fair assessment. It sometimes has a bit of a laborious and bland sentence structure, in the mode of (for example): "John looked outside. It was warm outside. John liked that it was warm outside. The fact that it was warm outside made John grateful that it wasn't cold. John didn't like cold days." The sentence structure mainly works, but it just feels as though something a little more concise and engaging would work better.
I have also heard the criticism that the book does some odd things with point of view, and this is also somewhat true. In the course of a few pages you can find the story transitioning through the minds of as many as three or four different characters in the same scene, which, again, works, but just feels a little strange -- particularly since some of those characters you never enter again, or do so very, very rarely -- even in the case of some fairly substantial characters. Liora, for example, is a major character in the story, and you spend a fair amount of time in her mind during the first several chapters. Then once she meets the main character, she becomes primarily third-person and you seldom enter her point of view again. It works, but it would just work a little better if the point of view mechanisms remained a little more consistent.
Further, I would say that there are a few plot points that do feel like they tug on the edges of believability a bit. I have a history degree and a minor in anthropology, and I just feel like it seems a little bit forced and unlikely for a Roman general to be gravitating to monotheism organically, as a result of his dislike for war and politics, even before he engages with any monotheistic individuals. It just kind of feels like "where did that come from?" To me, it would feel more organic for him to gravitate toward atheism first, but maybe that's just me. There's also a bit of time compression, it feels like, in the story, because while the actual day-by-day unfolding as described, during the Capernaum part of the story, spans only a few days, one character suddenly refers to it having been "weeks." And in some ways, it feels like it should have been weeks, considering the emotional development that takes place in the characters in such a short time. I just feel like a little more consistency in terms of time expressions would help the story.
All of that having been said, this is a good book, and it's definitely worth the read. It gets a decent passing grade from me, and given that this was, I believe, the author's first book, I think he deserves some strong commendation, especially considering his research into historical and cultural detail. I would disagree with the critiques I've seen that say the characters are flat and that the book ends too abruptly. There's room for improvement, but I think those elements of the book are fine.
December 8, 2021
I wanted to love this one, I truly did, but I just couldn't really get into the minds of the characters... 2.5 stars, I rounded up. The main problem was that many of the scenes were passive, and the author did a lot of telling instead of showing. I wanted to see and feel how the main characters got their testimonies of Christ, but for the most part Christ is actually hardly in it. The main characters don't speak Christ's language, being from Rome, so the author skips over all of Christ's sermons and teachings and the Romans magically gain testimonies by watching Jesus a couple times from a distance. Every time anybody feels the spirit, they just start crying and we're not told why.
Likewise the romances fell flat for me. The women barely talk and are just generally silent and beautiful yet they're suddenly madly in love, but again they don't talk they just smile and blush from the corner. I know it's a cultural thing, but I still wish the author had let them have more of a part in the story.
I think it's an okay book and had some lovely themes of redemption, faith and coming to Christ, but I felt like the execution wasn't the best. I prefer Gerald Lunds "Kingdom and the Crown" series for a historical fiction uplifting account of Jesus' ministry.
Likewise the romances fell flat for me. The women barely talk and are just generally silent and beautiful yet they're suddenly madly in love, but again they don't talk they just smile and blush from the corner. I know it's a cultural thing, but I still wish the author had let them have more of a part in the story.
I think it's an okay book and had some lovely themes of redemption, faith and coming to Christ, but I felt like the execution wasn't the best. I prefer Gerald Lunds "Kingdom and the Crown" series for a historical fiction uplifting account of Jesus' ministry.
April 29, 2018
Maximus has never known peace. In command of one of Rome's finest legions, he and his closest friend, Androcles, have fought side by side to uphold the glory of the empire.
But at the end of a long and bloody campaign, Maximus begins to question his purpose, his past, and the gods he has been taught to believe in.
When word reaches Rome of a man named Jesus who is causing a stir in faraway Judaea, Maximus and Androcles are sent, disguised as Jews, to ascertain the truth of the situation: Is this Jesus merely a radical preacher, or is he instigating a revolution against Rome?
I enjoyed this tale of Maximus and Androcles and they are men to admire, not hardened by war, but rather discerning over time the life blood spilled for their country was for conquest and control of exotic wares. The gripe I have is that the book seemed to end rather abruptly, and did not go into the indignities Jesus suffered by Roman soldiers. While placing the two men in the court, the author had to either have them interfere or downplay the events.
But at the end of a long and bloody campaign, Maximus begins to question his purpose, his past, and the gods he has been taught to believe in.
When word reaches Rome of a man named Jesus who is causing a stir in faraway Judaea, Maximus and Androcles are sent, disguised as Jews, to ascertain the truth of the situation: Is this Jesus merely a radical preacher, or is he instigating a revolution against Rome?
I enjoyed this tale of Maximus and Androcles and they are men to admire, not hardened by war, but rather discerning over time the life blood spilled for their country was for conquest and control of exotic wares. The gripe I have is that the book seemed to end rather abruptly, and did not go into the indignities Jesus suffered by Roman soldiers. While placing the two men in the court, the author had to either have them interfere or downplay the events.
October 3, 2018
Maximus is a Roman General. Although he fights for his country, he does not share the same beliefs as them but if he voiced them, it would be treason. When Pontius Pilate sends for emissaries to investigate Jesus of Nazareth. Pilate is worried that he is building and army to over throw the government. Maximus and his "brother" are sent and disguised as jewish men. They end up in Capernaum and helped a group of fishermen when one of them is injured and the sail is broken. In return, they invite them to stay with them until they leave. Bonds are formed and secrets are kept. But little did they know, all of them would change for the better.
I am warning you- the first few chapters can get a little boring but it does get a lot better! I really enjoyed this book for the story of these two romans and their new friends. My favorite part was the end. The way the author explained the power Androcles felt when he held Jesus made me feel that too. He also ended the book with a very good ending.
I am warning you- the first few chapters can get a little boring but it does get a lot better! I really enjoyed this book for the story of these two romans and their new friends. My favorite part was the end. The way the author explained the power Androcles felt when he held Jesus made me feel that too. He also ended the book with a very good ending.
April 9, 2020
It sounded like an interesting book, but the writing didn’t deliver...
For being a book titled Maximus: Soldier at the Cross it’s a bit puzzling that it was Androcles who said the famous words of the Centurion “Truly this was the son of God.”
The references to the New Testament were sparse and not as deeply connected to the story as they could have been. The plot hole I saw was that this story could just as well have happened had Jesus not been involved at all.
The book description said it was partly a mystery novel, but I saw no mystery; it was all shrouded in a romance I saw coming since chapter 3.
Having begun by getting into the minds of Leora the author finishes SOLELY in the mind of Maximus. Pretty confusing.
For being a book titled Maximus: Soldier at the Cross it’s a bit puzzling that it was Androcles who said the famous words of the Centurion “Truly this was the son of God.”
The references to the New Testament were sparse and not as deeply connected to the story as they could have been. The plot hole I saw was that this story could just as well have happened had Jesus not been involved at all.
The book description said it was partly a mystery novel, but I saw no mystery; it was all shrouded in a romance I saw coming since chapter 3.
Having begun by getting into the minds of Leora the author finishes SOLELY in the mind of Maximus. Pretty confusing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2021
Maximus is an awarded General, but finds himself uncomfortable with the thoughts of conquering for the Roman Empire. His next mission is to disguise as a Jew, learn and report about this new figure, who people call the Son of God, the Messiah. As he learns about Jesus of Nazareth and his call for peace and love, he also falls in love with a woman he cannot have. I absolutely loved this book! Not only is it a fun romance, with lots of action, you get to learn more about Jesus Christ and His purpose on earth, as the Son of God. I could not put this book down until I finished it! Richard Black does a fantastic job building characters that you love and a plot that you can't let go. I would recommend this book to everyone!
August 4, 2017
Interesting Historical fiction about a Roman general, his friend, and a traditional jewish family about the time of the Savior' s ministry from the POV of various characters throughout the story. While the story and premise were interesting, I felt it had some pacing issues. It started really slowly, and had a lot of details and tangents, then ended abruptly only making a cursory attempt at resolving all the open subplot threads. Overall, I liked this story, but it could have benefited from a couple more revisions to edit for length and flow.
March 26, 2018
The book was a decent enough read, but left some lacking in the character depth around the main character (Maximus). The book was clean though and provided some food for thought on those christian topics mentioned in it. I enjoyed the book but I could have enjoyed it more with a little more character development. A good one sitting kind of read. I would recommend the book to those looking for a clean christian novel, with a little bit of time to kill. If you stick with it, the story turns gratifying enough to be okay and thus deserves the three stars.
December 27, 2020
Honestly I really enjoyed this book.
It obviously has a heavy pro-Christian bias, but in the end it doesn't really hurt the book. Probably my biggest complaint was a character named Liora; early on the author devoted an entire chapter to developing her character, but as the book progressed, she transitioned from an actual character to a swooning love-interest with no personality. Huge missed opportunity.
But the rest of the book was really fun. It at least appeared well researched, and the relationship between Maximus and Androcles was wholesome and entertaining. Recommended
It obviously has a heavy pro-Christian bias, but in the end it doesn't really hurt the book. Probably my biggest complaint was a character named Liora; early on the author devoted an entire chapter to developing her character, but as the book progressed, she transitioned from an actual character to a swooning love-interest with no personality. Huge missed opportunity.
But the rest of the book was really fun. It at least appeared well researched, and the relationship between Maximus and Androcles was wholesome and entertaining. Recommended
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