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A New Kind of Zeal
On a hot, humid day, Tristan Blake is sweating it out trying to hitch a ride past Kerikeri, up north. It is summer in New Zealand, 2030: the temperature is rising, and Tristan is looking to get away from it all, after retiring from Peace-making army duty in the Middle East.
An old red Holden Ute pulls up on the side of the road, with fishing lines strapped in the back. Tristan goes to the driver's window, and a Maori priest, Rau Petera, invites him on a ride to Ninety Mile Beach.
Keen to fish, Tristan agrees: but there on the expansive sand, trying to escape the rising tide, Rau and Tristan stumble across Joshua Davidson from Kaitaia. Rau follows Joshua back into the rising sea, and Joshua catches him a record snapper, with no bait.
Now Rau and Tristan find themselves driving Joshua on a once-in-a-lifetime road-trip down the centre of the North Island, toward the Beehive in Wellington. Joshua is reminding Rau of someone: he is finding a new kind of faith. But Tristan is being thrown into increasing confusion and dismay, when he finally realizes what he must do to end the growing threat of Joshua.
An old red Holden Ute pulls up on the side of the road, with fishing lines strapped in the back. Tristan goes to the driver's window, and a Maori priest, Rau Petera, invites him on a ride to Ninety Mile Beach.
Keen to fish, Tristan agrees: but there on the expansive sand, trying to escape the rising tide, Rau and Tristan stumble across Joshua Davidson from Kaitaia. Rau follows Joshua back into the rising sea, and Joshua catches him a record snapper, with no bait.
Now Rau and Tristan find themselves driving Joshua on a once-in-a-lifetime road-trip down the centre of the North Island, toward the Beehive in Wellington. Joshua is reminding Rau of someone: he is finding a new kind of faith. But Tristan is being thrown into increasing confusion and dismay, when he finally realizes what he must do to end the growing threat of Joshua.
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339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2014
94 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 7, 2023
Dnf. I couldn't get into it. I tried.
July 23, 2019
This book as been in my book for awhile waiting for me to read. It had a very slow start for me. I was having a hard time following along. It became clear. It has been predicted over the years that Jesus would be walking among the earth again. The book takes place in New Zealand which is probably why it was strange to me. The prediction has been that modern man has become so doubting that they would not accept him or recognize him. Jason as he is named knows all this and sees the future. He is leading a group of people that have come to believe him. He is able to see the future and knows that history is repeating itself. Read it and see what the world has become.
November 16, 2016
This is a wonderful book as it tells the story of Jesus Christ coming and walking, physically, among us in our current times. Do we believe him? Do we recognize him? Are we willing to be associated with him? To die for him? At times the book is difficult to read as it makes you analyze your own beliefs and values - what would you do in their shoes? Are you willing to be counted among his followers? A great reality check. I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
March 12, 2017
As I began reading 'A New Kind of Zeal' I anticipated a sort of traveling adventure in New Zealand
July 26, 2018
This book has been in my kindle library forever ! I am so glad I took the time to actually read this ! It was just
Excellent! I had the chills and the tears especially at the end 😭🙏🏻
Excellent! I had the chills and the tears especially at the end 😭🙏🏻
December 21, 2019
I enjoyed this book and was glad to have received a copy of it. The story is a fictitious re-iteration of the time of Christ and the Gospel story, but set in modern day New Zealand.
Tristran has been hardened by the army and by his father who is the Anglican Arch Bishop, living a hypocritical life.
Global warming is causing droughts, food shortages and an unstable world, possibly on the brink of WWlll which Tristran has had a first hand taste of while serving overseas.
He has come home with plenty of hate and hurt to a place he barely recognises and a family that has pretty much disintegrated, yet while he is hitchhiking north he is picked up by another man of God who ultimately introduces him to Joshua, a type of Jesus.
Tristran's journey takes a few unexpected turns which leads him to a decision he wished he could back out of, but his hand is forced. What happens after his terrible decision causes the country to plummet into further chaos and turmoil.
I heard the audiobook version of this and the narrator did a fine job of it, the pace was good, the character and story development easy to follow and in general, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
This audiobook was given to me at my request in exchange for an honest review
Tristran has been hardened by the army and by his father who is the Anglican Arch Bishop, living a hypocritical life.
Global warming is causing droughts, food shortages and an unstable world, possibly on the brink of WWlll which Tristran has had a first hand taste of while serving overseas.
He has come home with plenty of hate and hurt to a place he barely recognises and a family that has pretty much disintegrated, yet while he is hitchhiking north he is picked up by another man of God who ultimately introduces him to Joshua, a type of Jesus.
Tristran's journey takes a few unexpected turns which leads him to a decision he wished he could back out of, but his hand is forced. What happens after his terrible decision causes the country to plummet into further chaos and turmoil.
I heard the audiobook version of this and the narrator did a fine job of it, the pace was good, the character and story development easy to follow and in general, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
This audiobook was given to me at my request in exchange for an honest review
April 3, 2020
Phenomonal
This book has interesting, intense characters riddled with emotional & spiritual conflict . Their lives intersect in New Zealand where an amazing story begins... A perfect read for Easter or Holy Week.
This book has interesting, intense characters riddled with emotional & spiritual conflict . Their lives intersect in New Zealand where an amazing story begins... A perfect read for Easter or Holy Week.
January 13, 2021
Wow, I read this through the night.
We are used to old classics being modernized and movies made for our understanding. The most widely recognized are the Shakespeare plays: Romeo and Juliet, Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing; you get the idea. This is the first modernization of the oldest book we know, the Life and Death of Jesus the Christ. Even though it is set into today’s world the words and actions are directly from biblical accounts. The gathering of disciples, loaves and fishes, riding into Jerusalem, public trial and decisions of death or freedom, the crown and execution, the resurrection, even the Light! Exquisite reimagining of how the Prince of Peace could operate in today’s world, his reception and opposition. Not much is different from the scriptures, other than it is 2030. God’s truths are eternal and can be used in any place and time. This touched my heart because even though I thought I had a strong testimony of Christ, I never thought of him as a human making his way though His ministry with all the men and women around Him. This opened my mind to search harder for the truth and accept the ‘light’ when I find it. I am so grateful for this book and will get it for the rest of my family! Thank you for the glimpse of New Zealand as well. Enjoyed the look into the workings of a different culture and the variety of people who live there.
We are used to old classics being modernized and movies made for our understanding. The most widely recognized are the Shakespeare plays: Romeo and Juliet, Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing; you get the idea. This is the first modernization of the oldest book we know, the Life and Death of Jesus the Christ. Even though it is set into today’s world the words and actions are directly from biblical accounts. The gathering of disciples, loaves and fishes, riding into Jerusalem, public trial and decisions of death or freedom, the crown and execution, the resurrection, even the Light! Exquisite reimagining of how the Prince of Peace could operate in today’s world, his reception and opposition. Not much is different from the scriptures, other than it is 2030. God’s truths are eternal and can be used in any place and time. This touched my heart because even though I thought I had a strong testimony of Christ, I never thought of him as a human making his way though His ministry with all the men and women around Him. This opened my mind to search harder for the truth and accept the ‘light’ when I find it. I am so grateful for this book and will get it for the rest of my family! Thank you for the glimpse of New Zealand as well. Enjoyed the look into the workings of a different culture and the variety of people who live there.
September 14, 2021
This is a brilliant read ... well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start. Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable. Great suspense and action with and wonderful world building. A New Kind of Zeal is a spiritual and psychological suspense novel for people of all walks of life. If you enjoy compelling characters, a new take on ancient teachings, and stories with a New Zealand flair, then you’ll love Michelle Warren’s book of faith under fire. I was more than half way through the novel before the light bulb went off and I realized I was reading a modern-day version of the story of Jesus. This novel asks you to dig deeper, to see what is written between the lines, what that world is that the author is describing under the story line. Wonderful job! This author is extremely talented. Her words flow, and subtly draw you along. She has written novel gently flows. There are not glitches other that at times you as the reader needs to stop along the way and gather our feelings and sort them ot as they become tangled in the midst of the web that Michell is weaving. I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the book with no monetary compensation.
June 23, 2025
THUNDERSTRUCK! That is perhaps the best way for me to describe this book! Commencing with Tristan Blake, suffering the experiences of some 5 years in the army in a peace keeping role in the middle east, Tristan has wandered from his religious upbringing – his father is the Anglican Bishop of Wellington, and a troubled man at that. But the world is in a crazy place, with shortages of food, medication, and services, with worldwide conflicts and political brinkmanship, and civil unrest at home. Sound familiar?
When Tristan meets an Anglian Priest, Rau Petera, and together they join another traveller named Joshua, I had the feeling I knew where this story was heading and it becomes more obvious as it unfolds. It makes the reader wonder if this story is really fiction as it becomes obvious that there are many Christian religion references to indicate the second coming, and some of the names of the characters bear similarities to Biblical characters – other than Jesus This could be an accurate prediction of the future when it is considered the strife, we find the world in today!
Not a particularly religious person, I was brought up in the Christian faith and many of the Bible references were familiar. I did find this a very good read.
When Tristan meets an Anglian Priest, Rau Petera, and together they join another traveller named Joshua, I had the feeling I knew where this story was heading and it becomes more obvious as it unfolds. It makes the reader wonder if this story is really fiction as it becomes obvious that there are many Christian religion references to indicate the second coming, and some of the names of the characters bear similarities to Biblical characters – other than Jesus This could be an accurate prediction of the future when it is considered the strife, we find the world in today!
Not a particularly religious person, I was brought up in the Christian faith and many of the Bible references were familiar. I did find this a very good read.
July 10, 2022
A Beautiful New Zealand Allegory
Steeped in the traditions of the Maori people of New Zealand, and following the allegorical example of the Bible, Michelle Warren has written a 21st century spiritual tale.
Set in the near future when climate change, over population, dwindling resources and over controlling government meet to create the circumstances for spiritual change, the man Joshua enters the picture.
A New Kind of Zeal is a book to be read, not to be reviewed. Whether you are already on a spiritual path or if you are a seeker, do yourself a favor and read this book. You'll be glad you did.
Steeped in the traditions of the Maori people of New Zealand, and following the allegorical example of the Bible, Michelle Warren has written a 21st century spiritual tale.
Set in the near future when climate change, over population, dwindling resources and over controlling government meet to create the circumstances for spiritual change, the man Joshua enters the picture.
A New Kind of Zeal is a book to be read, not to be reviewed. Whether you are already on a spiritual path or if you are a seeker, do yourself a favor and read this book. You'll be glad you did.
March 8, 2025
This is the first book in the Zeal Trilogy series by Michelle Warren. Tristan Blake is a retired peacekeeper returning home to New Zealand after serving in the Middle East. Rau Petera, a Maori priest offers Tristan a ride and they meet Joshua Davidson along the way. Tristan, Rau and Joshua embark on a road trip across New Zealand. As the three of them journey together Joshua questions Tristan's atheist beliefs and confronts Tristan's past demons. This story takes place in the future exploring spirituality and politics of three people on a journey while searching for personal growth. I really enjoyed this fantastic Christian dystopian fiction novel.
September 25, 2025
I felt sorry for Tristan because of his war experience and what he had gone through. It made me happy that he found real friends in Rau and Joshua; those moments of kindness steady him when everything else feels shaky. The pace stays quick, and I really like the New Zealand feel, but the stakes get heavier. Then he had to face a challenge to choose between his Father and Joshua, what he fears, and who he wants to be. By the end, the book is tougher and more emotional than it first appears; there’s loss, courage, and the kind of choice that hurts before it heals.
July 17, 2020
I love how Michelle was able to take the story of Jesus, move it into the future ad remain true to the facts. She wove it into the future in a way that fits right into the happenings of today. Having recently, March 2020, having visited New Zealand’s north island, the geography was familiar and I could picture it in my mind. I was even familiar with some of the Maori words😀. I throughly enjoyed this book and will be reading the remaining two in the trilogy ASAP!
December 8, 2020
4.5 stars, only because there's so much of New Zealand that a non-kiwi is at a loss. I found the story fascinating, a modern day (albeit a neat future 2030) retelling of the ministry and passion of Christ. The half dozen principal characters are filled out well, not a mirror refection of the Gospels, but an intelligent take updating. New Zealand under global warming is still beautiful, as the plot travels North Island. A deep, serious, thoughtful read that I truly enjoyed.
March 2, 2024
Just didn’t enjoy this book
Sorry but this book is just not for me.
I persevered against my better judgement and could easily have ditched it after chapter 8.
I just didn’t like it. I don’t like or believe in religion but many will enjoy it and believe the rubbish spouted in the book full of miracles. Nope, totally unbearable and unbelievable.
Sorry but this book is just not for me.
I persevered against my better judgement and could easily have ditched it after chapter 8.
I just didn’t like it. I don’t like or believe in religion but many will enjoy it and believe the rubbish spouted in the book full of miracles. Nope, totally unbearable and unbelievable.
June 4, 2025
This book has been on my Kindle for a while now and this month was the time to read it. Awesome read and very profound. Brought me to tears since it goes back to when Christ will be walking this earth one day and what will happen. Great work Michelle in writing this for us to enjoy and bringing us back to the Bible's truth.
August 26, 2021
Disturbing
My rule is to read a previously set number of pages in books I have started. I didn’t like what I was reading but by the time I got to the set number, I felt compelled to see what the author was preaching. I am still disturbed.
My rule is to read a previously set number of pages in books I have started. I didn’t like what I was reading but by the time I got to the set number, I felt compelled to see what the author was preaching. I am still disturbed.
November 18, 2021
This book blew me away. But I knew that it would. Partly because I am giving another book by the author. That’s all that I will say about it, but it’s another that will set you back on your heels. I can’t even say how happy I am that I am part of this process now. Changing my life.
March 17, 2023
Michelle Warren is an amazing author. Her writing is charismatic and nods to C>S>Lewis.
In many ways the book is insightful. Pateha v Maori and Christianity v Politics.
The book makes you think about the planet and humanities end.
I highly recommend reading this work.
In many ways the book is insightful. Pateha v Maori and Christianity v Politics.
The book makes you think about the planet and humanities end.
I highly recommend reading this work.
May 18, 2024
Excellent!
When Joshua shows up and starts talking about love and forgiveness, the church feels threatened. When he speaks about a new kingdom, the government takes notice. But what can they do when all the people love him?
Great story of redemption!
When Joshua shows up and starts talking about love and forgiveness, the church feels threatened. When he speaks about a new kingdom, the government takes notice. But what can they do when all the people love him?
Great story of redemption!
November 9, 2021
I read a short story in a collection that relates to this. Unfortunately I just couldn't get into the novel the same way.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews