The Ripper murders did not begin in 1888, but in March of 1879, when a beautiful woman is found slain and dismembered on Commercial Street in Spitalfields, London. When detectives arrive, they find not only the broken body of the victim, but a child who remembers nothing of who she is or how she came to be at the scene. Because the little girl has no known home, a gentle-hearted detective inspector named Charles St. Clair takes her to his home, and from that point on, his life will never be the same. Over the course of the next ten years, he'll learn not only all about the girl but also about himself. And St. Clair will learn the truth about a supernatural battle that has been raging across England for four hundred years. The Redwing Saga presents an alternative telling of history, pulling back the veil of secrecy put into place by those who would deceive and destroy. Geopolitics, criminal investigation, and science merge with secret societies, angelic warfare, and human free will. Book One of the series, Blood Lies, introduces the characters-both human and non-human-as well as their backstories, and it starts us on a journey that will eventually lead from Whitechapel to World War.
Mrs. Gilberts book was a real gem for me personally, I have a soft spot for stories set in the Victorian era and this one is superbly crafted. Its nice that she uses the proper verbiage for the time period, I found my self looking up several of the old words as I had not read them in quite some time.
The settings were described with such detail that I found myself visually drifting through the story and enjoying every moment. As a man parts were a little flowery/romantic for me, but understanding the story and time period it is set in one has to roll with it.
Considering the dark world we now live in it is always a joy to have a good read that lets the light of the Lord shine through. I can not wait for the next installment of this saga, and I am a follower of both Mrs. Gilbert and her husbands books and videos. My wife and I look forward every week to Sci Friday on SkyWatch TV.
Bravo to Sharon on what looks to be an absolutely smashing series.
This was the first book I've read by this author. I was about a third of the way through when i bought the rest of the series. Initially the "old English" style of writing intrigued me, and as i read it just got better and better. The storyline is well contrived and moves at a brisk pace. The characters are well developed if not a little hastily,but that's alright. All in all I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I would definitely recommend this to a friend.
This story relates the Satanic and the Holy God struggle. The writer has great knowledge into the supernatural efforts of Lucifer the prince of darkness and the exhibition of faith one must have to overcome the evil one. Excellent insight. Excellent intertwining if the events in England and Scotland and Jack the Ripper and Duchess and Earl and Duke And marquess. Beautiful. Looking forward to Redwing Saga 2
Just like in modern news events there is so much more going on behind the scenes! You start this book thinking it is a historical novel of the events surrounding the "Jack the Ripper" events and find out it is so much more! If you like supernatural thrillers, I believe you will really enjoy this book, I highly recommend it!
This story is more than fiction. Although the tale is made up, there lies beneath many elements of truth. The plans of evil are ancient and well laid. Innocent people suffer to further those plans. This explains why the Ripper was never caught.
I will definitely pick up the next book. The only thing that bothered me was the way they kept switching names for the same character. Ex: Charles to Sinclair and back again.
Author Sharon K. Gilbert has successfully substantiated herself as a skilled writer with this enthralling story encompassing faith, mystery, and suspense. Set in the late 1800’s, Blood Lies thrusts the reader into the city of London, in which a series of murders suspected to be the act of Jack the Ripper unfolds a tumultuous battle in the spiritual realm of good versus evil. It is during a surprising discovery of the body of a young woman near a police station, that Inspector Charles St. Clair assists with investigating the homicide. Although a respected detective, St. Clair’s assistance in the investigation is directed toward the young child that is found alongside the dead woman, alive and unconscious. In an act of genuine compassion, St. Clair assigns himself as temporary guardian of the young child until her family is identified and located. Unknowingly, this sheer act of kindness will change the course of the detective’s life forever.
“However, if you trust in God, and you believe that our Saviour died for our sins and rose again on the third day, then you have trusted in worlds and events unseen and unseeable by our natural eyes. It is a matter of faith. And it is only that faith which can destroy this evil” (Elizabeth, Blood Lies).
Blood Lies enlightens the reader to the spiritual realm that exists, including angelic and demonic beings, that battle for the souls of mankind and dominion on Earth. I loved that this book does not shy away from spiritual wisdom, with the foundation being the power of Jesus Christ and the redemptive finished work on the cross. The prose exemplifies the fact that there is indeed a spiritual battle that exists, yet it in no way defeats the power of Christ. Although the subject matter is a bit dark, the light of Christ is illustrated throughout the story.
In Blood Lies, the prose is brilliantly written, both character and prose driven, that results in an intriguing storyline. The characters are memorable, and the story is astounding. I am elated that this book is part one of a six book series, that I am absolutely looking forward to completing. Although a lengthy book, totaling 436 pages, the intriguing nature of the story makes it an enjoyable read. I highly recommend this book.
This is the one that started it all, and I am so thankful to have read this entire series. I have to admit, this book started off a little slow for me. However, I think it had to do with not staying with it all the way through. I was going through some major problems at the time I started this book, so it didn't have my full attention. By the time I got to the end of this book, which was about a month, I was hooked. Needless to say I flew through the rest of this series so far. I read through the next three books in a month, and that is a lot for me personally. I cannot read for extended periods of time due to medical issues. That being said, this entire series is amazing. Highly recommend this series for anyone interested in mystery, intrigue, Christianity, spiritual warfare, romance, and adventure.
I have a long standing love/hate relationship with books that suck me in. I love they suck me in and hold me, but I also hate it, because it makes it nearly impossible to put down! This is one of those books that the characters are believable, and the action thrilling and the mystery perplexing. If you are a Christian looking for a novel that doesn't insult your intelligence or your faith, and only renews and encourages it, then this is happily for you. Blessings.
Christian-tinged, Victorian-era set tale with the Jack the Ripper murders in the backdrop. There's intrigue and romance and very formal dialogue. It's a fun read and I was really buying into it and the reality of the world until roughly two-thirds of the way through and the villain was able to turn into smoke and literally vanish at will. It was when the villains were talking amongst themselves and scheming that it really took me out of it. It would have been better if the villains plot was more left to speculation.
This historical Christian fiction centers around the events of Jack the Ripper in late 19th century England. Being completely unfamiliar with this section of history, I found the storyline to be both intriguing and somewhat challenging to piece together. This being the first in the series, The Redwing Saga by Sharon Gilbert, I'm looking forward to continuing the adventure in the following books. I highly recommend reading the From The Author comments in the beginning of the book first, to understand the author's intent! Great book, worth the read.
I highly recommend this book to be read by all that enjoy well written books. The Author out did herself in the quality of this masterpiece. She has used great imagination and skill in writing this book and I can’t wait to continue to read the rest of these novels. If the rest of this series of books is as good as the first then I look forward with anticipation in my continued reading of these masterpieces.
Great plot. Got a bit tired towards the end when anticipated buildup towards a great ending, turned into the addition of what I think unnecessary new characters, an addition of perhaps 4 chapters. However some may enjoy that. Overall I enjoyed; and happily recommend this read.
Mrs.. Gilbert has delivered a SUPERB work of fiction that can be easily considered nonfiction to us living in these 'end times'. Thank you for keeping the characters true to Christ as they fight the "unholy realm" for His Glory.
I've always been a fan of fantasy and this book surely does not disappoint. How incredibly refreshing to read fiction that has been inspired by Christian principles. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
this book was slow, the relationships were gross, and the characters were caricatures. the writing wasn’t awful, it wasn’t necessarily masterful or recognizable but it wasn’t awful. it wasn’t fun or entertaining to read, so i stopped.
I have wanted to pick up this book for awhile and had not.... finally digging in, i could not put it down for more than a few hours at a time!! I regret waiting to start this series for this long and hungrily await the next! Well done Mrs. Gilbert!
First book by this author, great story into the good vs evil that was told in the Victorian Age and Jack the Ripper times. However Satanic vs Godly good is forever present today, looking forward to her next book. Gives you food for thought about modern times.
A wonderfully intriguing, captivating and edifying read filled mystery, action, and romance. Perhaps a little more romance than I generally like in most books I read but it works really well in this case. I'm already downloading book two.
I could not really get into this story. As much as I enjoyed the parts of the spiritual warfare, Jack the Ripper, and the dark side of the men -- the other portion of the main characters and the romance killed this story for me.
The love triangle killed me because of the whole being related thing. I don't care for incest whatsoever, no matter the time or era of the story. I'm a bit more lenient in biblical fiction, but this being historical fiction, I couldn't get with it. Especially with the age gap between one of the couples.
The characters themselves were also not that interesting to me. I will, however, continue to read on with the series to see how it all ends with the spiritual warfare and Jack the Ripper.
I could not really get into this story. As much as I enjoyed the parts of the spiritual warfare, Jack the Ripper, and the dark side of the men -- the other portion of the main characters and the romance killed this story for me.
The love triangle killed me because of the whole being related thing. I don't care for incest whatsoever, no matter the time or era of the story. I'm a bit more lenient in biblical fiction, but this being historical fiction, I couldn't get with it. Especially with the age gap between one of the couples.
The characters themselves were also not that interesting to me. I will, however, continue to read on with the series to see how it all ends with the spiritual warfare and Jack the Ripper.
3.5 but rounded up. I have mixed feelings about this book. I’m going to continue the series for now. It’s good and the pacing is there. I tend to get confused with the characters but I think that’s because I’m not used to the Victorian style of writing. Some parts are actually scary to me.