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Due to complete coincidence I ended up reading two books about the life of Jesus during the Easter weekend. This was the first of them.

Having escaped his Roman master, Demetrios and another slave try to make a better life for themselves.

In which, completely against my own expectations, they succeed. Really, is it that easy to become a master after you were a slave? It's a shame not more people tried to do this.

The historical setting was quite nice. But that's about it. Demetrios was a very annoying character to read about. He literally doesn't seem to know what he's doing or why. On top of that I didn't really like the writing. Especially in the beginning I couldn't focus on the story because of it.

This book just wasn't for me, I'm afraid.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this book written about the end of Jesus' ministry. I felt as if I was living back in those times. Demetrios, a gentile slave was living in the house of a mean Roman slave owner. The slave murdered the slave owner and fled along with Elazara, a Jewish man. Their journey together resulted in a higher living standard for both men and businessmen in . They were always fearful of being found out and was constantly on guard. Elazar became interested in Jesus and eventually Elazar wanted to rid himself of their caravan business and follow him as a disciple. Demetrios took offense partly because he didn't think he could carry on as a gentile without Elazar. The book basically ended after Jesus' crucifixion. I was left wondering if Demetrios finally accepted Jesus. ( )

4.5 stars
Ms. Gassman does a magnificent job transporting the reader back in time to first century Palestine. In the beginning it was hard to connect with Demetrios and easier, in some ways, to relate to Elazar. While I sympathized with Demetrios’ plight he often acted against Elazar’s sound advice and thus counter to his best interests. This was frustrating at first but as events progressed it dawned on me that, personally speaking, Demetrios represented life’s journey. From ignorance to awareness, not only of ourselves, but of the people around us and how we influence each other, like ripples in a pond. Some of those effects can be far reaching with lasting consequences we’d never imagine at the time. Our past acts, while perhaps not a grievous as Demetrios’, shape us and our future behavior. Whether we learn, grow, forgive, and move forward or allow them to haunt and burden us is, in the end, our decision.
Demetrios becomes successful with a nice home but still lives in fear of his past catching up with him. It’s a two edged sword. In many ways he’s more empathetic and thoughtful but he isn’t happy, loved, or fulfilled. His past holds him in thrall. When Elazar betrays him Demetrios’ fear leads him to contemplate and go to great lengths to attempt even rasher deeds than the initial deed.

Just what extremes is Demetrios willing to go to in order to keep his past secret? How much is he willing to lose? Will another death bring him the peace he seeks?

BLOOD OF A STONE is moving, thought provoking, and at times, felt deeply personal. I sincerely hope this isn’t the last we hear from Ms. Gassman.
Reviewed for Miss Ivy’s Book Nook Take II, Manic Readers, & Novels Alive TV ( )