M.D. House is a recovering corporate cog. As an author, he started out writing science fiction, but became fascinated with the stories of Barabbas, Cornelius, and the Apostle Paul, among others, which has led him on an amazing and faith-affirming Christian fiction writing journey.
He still writes clean, faith-based science fiction, with some fantasy coming soon as well. You can learn more about him at mdhouselive.com.
“House, an experienced historical novelist, overcomes the main obstacle to this tale—the fact that many readers are unfamiliar with the underlying writings being expanded here—very smoothly. The volume’s extensive amounts of exposition are worked organically into the narrative, to the point where those readers who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will easily follow the tale and appreciate the drama. This process is helped enormously by the author’s decision to make Kai both fallible and immensely likable, an experienced but humble young hero. When Kai is told the spirit of God is clearly helping him, for instance, he privately doubts the clearly part. The result is a very enjoyable foray into fictionalizing the intriguing material in the Book of Mormon, something just begging for more such ventures on the part of House.” – Kirkus Reviews
THRILLERS
THE SERVANT OF HELAMAN
BY Michael House • POSTED ON June 24, 2022
A historical novel focuses on an enigmatic figure in the Book of Mormon.
Drawing on two chapters of the Book of Mormon, House puts flesh on the outline of the man known only as “the servant of Helaman.” The servant at one point thwarted an assassination in the kingdom of the Nephites in the first century B.C.E. and killed the evil Kishkumen. The author opens the story on a thrilling note, with Kishkumen approaching a nemesis in the Nephite city of Zarahemla, intent on violence against the “mealy-mouthed, self-righteous Pahoran the Younger,” who “occupied the judgment seat and continued to press the cause of the greedy, wealthy Christians on the good people who represented the long-suffering, fair-minded backbone of Nephite success.” This brutal act caps years of increasing tensions since the Great War between the Nephites and the Lamanites, and it throws Zarahemla into chaos. The ensuing narrative examines the young scout and adventurer Kihoran, called Kai, who gets caught up in the march of armies and the broader events drawn from the Book of Mormon, becoming the servant of Helaman and moving inevitably toward his great destiny. House, an experienced historical novelist, overcomes the main obstacle to this tale—the fact that many readers are unfamiliar with the underlying writings being expanded here—very smoothly. The volume’s extensive amounts of exposition are worked organically into the narrative, to the point where those readers who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will easily follow the tale and appreciate the drama. This process is helped enormously by the author’s decision to make Kai both fallible and immensely likable, an experienced but humble young hero. When Kai is told the spirit of God is clearly helping him, for instance, he privately doubts the clearly part. The result is a very enjoyable foray into fictionalizing the intriguing material in the Book of Mormon, something just begging for more such ventures on the part of House.
A richly textured and involving spiritual tale about an unsung hero.
We know precious little of the man called Barabbas, a contemporary of Jesus of Nazareth. He is variously described in the historical record as thief, murderer, rebel, and notable Roman prisoner.
His release by the Roman Prefect Pontius Pilate was part of the supernal plan for the Christ to offer himself as the ultimate blood sacrifice, but it’s doubtful Barabbas understood any of that at the time.
Many have wondered what became of him, or rather, who he became after that fateful day. Someday we will know the answer, but in the meantime, we can imagine that, like all of us, he too sought a path of personal redemption, imperfectly.
It doesn’t get much worse than the prospect of a three-way civil war, and in a global superpower grown arrogant and complacent in its prosperity, only one influential man leads the peaceful charge against corruption and tyranny, while others plot more radical solutions. Council Minister Merak Dorvallen’s allies are few, and now his youngest son Coren, a Lieutenant in the vaunted Irrianite military, is the target of government assassins. Desperate, Merak reaches out to Ohrim Sunvail, an old friend in exile who harbors potentially helpful secrets. Ohrim’s exceptionally competent and head-strong daughter Mei’ Shera accepts the assignment and thwarts the assassins, setting in accelerated motion events that will shape a drastically different future for Irrianon.
In the midst of the chaos, scientists in Irrianon have secretly cracked the code for interstellar space travel, which will shape a drastically different future for the entire planet of Toryl, especially when they find a sister planet of humans only a few years behind in technology. The winner of the Irrianite civil war will lay a solid first claim on the stars, unlocking a universe of possibilities for both progress and potential disaster.
The man they called Barabbas has come a long way from the wretched prisoner once released by Pontius Pilate in lieu of Jesus. He and his wife Chanah are growing in regard among the leadership of Christ’s fledgling church, which is expanding and thriving.
But increasing Christian influence breeds jealousy among several Roman governors and senators. How will Emperor Nero react? Can the apostle Paul soothe the moody young ruler and help the valiant Roman saints continue to spread the Word?
The Parthian Empire also poses threats, including in Eastern Africa, where the former centurion Cornelius has become a prominent Christian leader. Will the Christians need to flee, or must they fight both the Romans and the Parthians?
In this poignant capstone to the trilogy, the man called Barabbas—infamous former thief, murderer and prisoner turned Christian—and his wife Chanah continue their mission of spreading the gospel across the known world as cauldrons of political and military chaos boil across the Roman Empire. Nero is increasingly erratic, and it’s only a matter of time before the sharp knives of imperial politics finish him off. Various successors vie for position. Who will strike first, and who will come out on top?
Meanwhile, the rebellion in Judea has intensified, the Jewish zealots exerting great influence over the minds of the people. General Vespasian and his son Titus aim to put a permanent end to the insurrection. How many lives will ultimately be sacrificed on the great altar of Jerusalem? Can the Jewish nation survive the fulfillment of Jesus’s prophecy? What will become of the Jewish Christians and the apostles and sisters who lead them? And where will Barabbas and his family find lasting peace?
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