The Lighthouse

The Cyrenian Trilogy #1

by Karin Ciholas

Simon is a gifted physician who faces constant danger as a Jew in first-century Egypt under Roman rule.

When Meidias, an escaped convict, declares a “holy” war against Jews and abducts Simon’s sister, Simon’s search for her leads him on a treacherous journey to slave markets in Alexandria and to Jerusalem where a Roman soldier forces Simon to carry a crossbeam for a stranger. Simon is troubled by the stranger’s death but does not know that this moment will change the world forever.

Simon’s passion is Aurelia, inaccessible daughter of a Roman senator. His mission is revenge against the outlaw Meidias. His ambition is justice for his family and his people. His torment is the conflict between his Hippocratic oath and his vow to kill Meidias.

As his medical reputation grows, he comes face to face with prefects and emperors and the poor suffering masses of Alexandria and Rome. Overwhelmed by the plight of his people, he tries to stop what becomes the first pogrom in Alexandria.

THE LIGHTHOUSE moves between Egypt and Italy and back to Alexandria. It is a story about family love and loyalty, medical breakthroughs and heartbreaks, and one man’s quest for justice for his people.

401 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2022

Reviews

[Margaret George · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If you love James Michener, you will love this book! It evokes his keen sense of history and his ability to bring long-ago characters and settings to life.

[Milton Reigelman]

Although it takes a bit to adjust to such a different world, once you're adjusted the narrative is pretty compelling. The novel reveals an absolutely astonishing knowledge of the first part of the 1st c3ntury, including fascinating, tiny details about Jewish and Hippocratic medicine, the political intrigues and personalities of the Roman Senate and succession, a new vision of what Matthew Arnold called the Hellenic and Hebraic worldviews, the philosophical/moral issues of the time such as the mind-body and means-end relationships much with us today, and vivid details of the geography and everyday life in both the Jewish and Roman worlds in Cyrene, Alexandria, Jerusalem, and Rome. You cannot read "The Lighthouse" without thinking about the East European pograms, the Holocaust, and the current horrific attack on the Ukrainian people by Vladimir Putin.

[Mona Semerau]

Fast paced, in some places almost outstrips the telling, the power of the narrative in The Lighthouse is in the interaction of the principle characters, both Jew and Roman, which shed insights into the fears, hope, and turmoil in a time of turbulence and change.

[Sarah Williams]

Have not read this yet

[Maryanne C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lighthouse took me to places I didn't know and evoked a distant time and its people effectively. I was particularly struck by the juxtaposition of the crucifixion and the cruel treatment, executions and ritual suicides of Roman leaders, men and women alike. Simon becomes a thoroughly heroic character whose accomplishments deserve elaboration after the brief introduction Christians have of him in the gospels. The dawning days of effective medical treatment in ancient Alexandria were well portrayed.

[Phil C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping tale you won't want to put down, The Lighthouse is a beacon illuminating a unique perspective on the tumultuous times of the 1st Century. The engaging characters pull the reader into their world as their destiny is inescapably intertwined with momentous events shaping history. I am eager to continue the tale when the next book of the trilogy is released.

[Teri M Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of The Lighthouse by Karin Ciholas through an Atmosphere Press giveaway and wasn't sure what I would think of it. Ancient history is not really my thing. However, once I started reading, I couldn't stop thinking about the characters - even when I was supposed to be doing other things. In fact, I read far too late into the night on a couple of occasions so I could finish. (And the best part is that Ciholas is writing a trilogy, so I'm not really done!)

The Lighthouse is set during the days of Christ and seen from the point of view of Simon, an educated Jewish healer, and his best friend from boyhood who eventually becomes a Roman solider. When a thug kills a member of Simon's family and then abducts his sister, he is chosen to avenge them. But how can he both murder Meidias and keep his Hippocratic oath?

Ciholas did a great job describing Simon's struggle to be everything he was meant to be as well as everything he has been asked to be. Despite a setting and time far removed from my own, I think all readers will understand that challenge.

As a #researchjunkie, I stand in awe of Ciholas' tremendous research, and how she was able to bring me into Simon's world. Ciholas shows readers what it was like to be Jewish during Roman rule, whether focusing on family and religious traditions or the fear of those in power.
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This is an excellent read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves great character development, historical fiction, and escaping into a story.

[Barbara Sontheimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Not only did I fall in love with the characters, but I learned A LOT of history during a period of history I was sketchy at, at best! I read bible stories as a child, but never did they come to live like they did in this wonderful story! Can't wait to read the next two installments in the series>