Review of I, Saul, a new international thriller by Jenkins and MacDonald

I recently read I, Saul by Jerry B. Jenkins (with James S. MacDonald). This international thriller is being dubbed as a Christian Da Vinci Code. I, Saul is a different sort of novel, and kudos to Jenkins/MacDonald for originality. The story involves Augie, a professor, who travels across the globe to help find an artifact tied to the apostle Paul.

Jenkins is one of my favorite writers. I enjoyed the Left Behind series, Hometown Legend, and the Precinct 11 novels. I even drove three hours once to hear Jenkins speak at Taylor University. All that to say, I am a fan, and yet, it just wasn't my favorite Jenkins novel. To be fair, I read this novel through the lens of a fellow author. I would have liked to have seen longer scenes, characters developed more, and POV handled differently (I almost wonder if separate parts were written by each author?). It is possible that readers (who are not authors) might not feel the same and would thoroughly enjoy the story.

What I did like is that Jenkins/MacDonald did produce an original concept. It is always more risky to step out and try something different because not everyone might like it. I liked the parts that contained Biblical characters Luke and Paul the best because it was interesting to consider what Paul’s life might have been like (apart from what we already know).

To learn more about I, Saul, please view the trailer.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.