The Withering Tree

by D. Barkley Briggs

REBELLION SMOLDERS IN ANCIENT JERUSALEMIt seethes in the soul of the assassin, Judas ben Hassad, who cuts Roman throats in bitter service to Yahweh, sure that God has forsaken the ancient covenant. His unmarried sister, Hannah, wastes her days dreaming of faraway things like truth, love and hope, foolish notions she cannot afford.

But Judas has no idea that Hannah has befriended a golden-eyed angel named Redalion, who is teaching her the harp, nor does he know the dark secrets of her soul. One day, driven by her haunted past, Redalion answers Hannah's wish and carries her to a magical land called Mystica, where she begins a quest for the greatest truth of all. As the Powers of the Age now openly war for her soul, Hannah's hope and Judas' cynicism are set to collide. In that moment, both will come face-to-face with a man named Jeshua, and their hearts will be laid bare. Though judgment be swift, love is unending. Even to the point of drawing life from a barren curse.Which is, and always has been, the secret of The Withering Tree.

Now for the first time, readers can experience the deeply personal first novel written by acclaimed author, D. Barkley Briggs, more than two decades ago.

418 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2024

About the author

Dean "D. Barkley" Briggs is happily married to Jeanie, the proud father of eight grown children and two grandchildren. A New Covenant storyteller, Dean loves the magical power of words. He dreams, prophecies and prays across the world, speaking and preaching on the great story of God. His novels include two medical thrillers, The God Spot, and The Most Important Little Boy in the World, and the acclaimed, 5-part YA fantasy series, The Legends of Karac Tor. He also has number of non-fiction works, including Ekklesia Rising and The Jesus Fast, co-authored with Lou Engle. A new novel, The Withering Tree, is soon to be released.

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DeanBriggs.com |
Facebook/Twitter @ DBarkleyBriggs

Reviews

[Ondine Stansbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reads less like a conventional story and more like a quiet exploration of the human soul. The movement between everyday life and symbolic, spiritual imagery creates a contemplative atmosphere that stays with you long after you turn the last page. I found myself thinking deeply about the characters’ choices, their regrets, and their search for meaning, especially in moments of suffering and vulnerability. The slower pacing requires patience, but that patience makes the emotional and spiritual moments feel more powerful and earned. What I appreciated most is that the book doesn’t hand you easy answers instead, it invites you to sit with uncertainty, faith, and compassion. Overall, The Withering Tree feels like a story meant to be felt, pondered, and revisited rather than simply consumed and forgotten.

[David Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading The Withering Tree felt like stepping into a story that really wants you to slow down and pay attention. The journeys of Hannah and Judas are written with a lot of care, and you can tell the author put real thought into their emotions, struggles, and spiritual searching. I found myself drawn into the symbolism and the quiet tension between hope and suffering, especially in the way the story blends the human world with deeper spiritual meaning. At times, though, the book leans heavily into symbolism and certain sections felt longer than they needed to be, which briefly pulled me out of the flow. Even so, the heart of the story is strong, sincere, and memorable, and I walked away feeling like I had read something meaningful rather than just another novel.

[Zephyri Neava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading D. Barkley Briggs felt less like following a plot and more like listening to someone think deeply on the page. What struck me most about the author is the patience in the writing nothing feels rushed, and every scene seems to exist for a reason beyond simple entertainment. You can sense a sincere heart behind the storytelling, especially in the way the spiritual and emotional layers are handled with care rather than drama. At times the style is demanding and asks you to slow down, which may not suit every reader, but it also shows how seriously the author takes their craft. Overall, I came away appreciating Briggs as a writer who is thoughtful, imaginative, and genuinely invested in what they are saying, not just how they say it.

[Reid Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began this book unsure whether I would truly connect with it because spiritual and symbolic stories aren’t usually my preference. However, I quickly found myself drawn in by how human the characters felt, even when the narrative moved into mystical territory. The emotions grief, guilt, hope, and longing were portrayed in a way that felt real and relatable rather than abstract. Some sections moved slowly, but instead of frustrating me, that pacing made the heavier moments feel more meaningful. I also liked that the book didn’t try to force a single clear message on me; it allowed me to interpret things in my own way. By the time I finished, I had far more respect for both the story and the author’s approach than I expected, and I’m genuinely glad I took the chance on it.

[Brenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading The Withering Tree felt like spending time with a story that asks you to sit still rather than rush ahead. The way the author explores pain, hope, doubt, and searching gave the book a weight that felt honest rather than dramatic. I appreciated how the characters were allowed to struggle, question, and grow without being neatly packaged or simplified. There were moments where I put the book down just to think about what I had read, especially when the story moved between the ordinary world and the more symbolic, spiritual layers. It isn’t a book that entertains in a light, fast way instead, it lingers in your mind and invites reflection. By the end, I felt like I had gone through an emotional journey, not just finished a novel.

[Vesper Wexler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending of The Withering Tree unfolds slowly and tenderly around Hannah and Judas, giving their journeys real emotional weight, It carefully gathers their spiritual searching and human suffering into a moment that feels earned rather than forced.
There is quiet sadness in how their stories close, yet a warmth that honors what they have endured and grown into.
I kept thinking about Hannah’s faith and Judas’s transformation long after I finished the book
It is an ending that settles gently in your heart, invites reflection, and lingers in a deeply human way.

[Alexandre Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book mostly out of curiosity and ended up caring far more than I expected. The blend of human emotion and spiritual imagery kept me thinking long after I closed the pages. It’s the kind of story that grows on you quietly.