Centurion Witness but author Ed Mitchell is a Biblical Fiction novel. This is the story of a veteran warrior caught in a position between good and evil. Calix, a centurion well known for his bravery and abilities. is feeling guilty about what conspired in one of his recent battles. He becomes involved in a security breach between Rome’s Judean governor and religious leaders who want Jesus killed.

I enjoyed the author’s even style of writing. He had obviously done a lot of research. The book is easy to read and follow. The author has woven the story of redemption throughout the exquisite tapestry of his novel making it inspirational and heart-stirring. I highly recommend this book. It gets a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Net Galley but these are my honest words.

Thank you to Ed Mitchell, Netgalley and California Coast Publishing for providing a free e-ARC for me to read and review.

I wanted to like this book. The description is appealing and the cover is nice. However, the description states that "Quickly he is entangled in the security conflicts between Rome’s governor in Judea and its religious leaders who want Jesus of Galilee killed for sedition." In actuality, most of the book focuses on military training and re-supplying and a side story about a character named Seneca that didn't seem to have anything to do with the rest of the story. I had no problems with spelling and grammar, but the language felt too modern. Supposedly this was intentional, but I didn't like it because it made it difficult for me to immerse myself in the story. There were also other anachronisms that made me stop reading and do my own research.

As for the character's interactions with Jesus, those were few (3) and brief. Most of what he learned about Jesus was from other characters, including a question-and-answer session that did not flow like a natural conversation. Other than some curiosity, the centurion didn't seem moved by what he did learn which left me feeling like the ending was abrupt and unearned.

Overall, I am disappointed because I've been searching for biblical-era fiction and I thought I would like this.

A surprising read with a completely different take on the story of Rome and Jesus. From the outset the main character shows to be a grizzly no fear veteran who has a very clear distinction of right and wrong. As the story develops you start to see the love and care but also fear this centurion has in his soul.

The detail of the battle scene is great and this was my favourite part of the book. Jesus introduction and constant presence in the background was very interesting and how his personal story linked to that of the Romans stationed in Jerusalem was an enlightening tale.

A great shorter story which I would certainly recommend.

This book follows the story of a veteran centurion seeking redemption. It is set in the time of Jesus' ministry.

From that premise alone, it had potential for me. It is one of the settings I like in historical fiction, and I am drawn to the stories of those who were witnesses, or who could have heard of Jesus, and what their lives could have been like.

Calix was an interesting character. As a centurion close to retirement, readers could reasonably expect him to be an intelligent and experienced character, and that is present here.

Other than that, I feel like this could have been a novella instead of a novel. Some descriptions took on fantasy-novel trappings, which were unnecessary. A little more editing would have been welcome in some parts of the book. Some of the language was anachronistic too. Easier to absorb, but not suitable for its setting.

All the technicalities of writing aside, if this is the kind of historical fiction that appeals to the reader, none of that should matter very much.

I give this 2.75 stars.

Thank you for the e-arc, Netgalley!

Title: Centurion Witness: A tale of resurrection and redemption
Series: N/A
Author: Ed Mitchell
Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian
Publisher: California Coast Publishing
Release Date: October 21, 2021
Format: Kindle (read), Paperback
Pages: 185
Source: NetGalley
Cover: The cover drew me to this book immediately. Beautifully done.
Description: Calix, the centurion, is a highly decorated, skilled soldier and a known leader of men in the Roman Army. He is also haunted by something he did in a recent battle. In his last assignments, he interacts with the governor of Judea and Pontius Pilate. And he meets Jesus. What else happens in his last months of service?

Review
First, know who was a Centurion — A centurion was a commander of a centuria, the smallest unit of a Roman legion. A legion was circa 6,000 soldiers; each legion was divided into 10 cohorts; each cohort contained 6 centuria. Thus a centurion commanded 100 men.

One likes the centurion immediately and sincerely hopes he can retire. A good centurion is a teacher of men as well as a leader of men. Calix was all of that. And more. He was wise, not only in leading his men but also in dealing with those appointed above him.

I wanted to love this book. First, I was drawn by the cover. Then the description, especially the final sentence “The immediate political and religious struggle for control of the body of Jesus propels the centurion to guard his tomb.“ The Holy Bible does not mention Jesus’ tomb being guarded but given the upheaval and demands of the Sanhedrin, it is quite possible Pilate had guards at the tomb.

I like this book and I do recommend it. This was my first Ed Mitchell book and I will add his books to my To Read list. But I did have a problem and it is not an uncommon pet peeve.

Historical books should not use 20th and 21st-century references; at least without notifying the reader. The further back in history — the centuries need to also fall back. This book takes place when Jesus was alive on this earth. In Chapter 2 – “The Orders”, Mitchell writes “Thirty minutes late the new arrival…” Clocks were not invented yet. There wasn’t such a thing as “30 minutes”.

In the same chapter, “Happy to be here” is used. That phrase stopped my reading; it seemed wrong for the period. A bit of research and WordReference.com has this. Ah, those three years of Latin in high school!!! Thank you Miss Branam. I just had to swallow Mitchell was going to use words and phrases not applicable to the historic period of the novel.

How to make it right? Include in the Preface a short statement such as “The writer has chosen to use now-common words and phrases for the ease of the reader.” If the reader does not read the Preface, their loss. Often goodies are in those Prefaces. In other words, if I had known — it would not have bothered me.

Rating: 4.25 stars BUT Centurion Witness is a wonderful read. If you had been in the Roman Army, you would have hoped to have Calix as Your Centurion.

I received a complimentary e-ARC copy of Centurion Witness from the publisher, California Coast Publishing, via NetGalley. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

#CenturionWitness #NetGalley #EdMitchell

Overall quick easy read. Ed Mitchell took a well known story and weaved a fictional character into the fringes. Was pleasantly surprised as a history nerd I am a stickler for detail. Would consider more novels by Mitchell in the future.

What an excellent read! As a Catholic, I found myself inspired and transformed by the story. It reminded me of the movie, "The Robe" where the centurion (Marcellus) is tormented beyond despair at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The author provided an excellent description of how Roman soldiers prepared for battle and the battles themselves. He took us into a world so unknown to us other than what we've read in Holy Scripture. I learned about the mob mentality involved in the trial of Jesus and I also learned a bit more about the Sanhedrin.

It's very true that the Lord works in mysterious ways and it showed in the way He healed the centurion of his physical and mental wounds (from afar). The event provided the centurion with forgiveness and redemption and the purpose in his new life. What else can I say? I felt refreshed, forgiven and at peace!

Thank you, Ed Mitchell for a wonderful book! Thank you #NetGalley for A/C.

This book is very will written. It takes us into the era of when Jesus is alive and right before he is crucified. It takes on a journey of the centurion who guard is his tomb, and how he came to guard his tomb and the events leading up to that and also what occurred after. I was raised in a Methodist home and have always believed in Jesus and God. I loved this book as it gave us another point of view into the events, and how the centurion strived to do five good deeds to redeem himself. This book was excellent and I would most definitely recommend this book to everyone. Hence why I gave it five stars.

A wonderful story, it took some time to get into the storybut wax well worth the effort and became a page turner. Such a reminder of God's love and grace towards us all. Knowing he hears our cries and honours our prayers for grace and forgiveness.

This is an excellent book, a good plot that keeps you reading, and an engaging protagonist. It's a different take on the story of Christ's Passion and has a great. twist at the end. i loved it!

Centurion Calix is a seasoned and decorated soldier of Rome’s frontier army in the province of Judea. When security issues between the Roman Governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate, and the religious leaders of the Great Sanhedrin Court, become heated, Calix is called in for his last assignment. He’s given the honor of serving as bodyguard to a powerful man.

Initially drawn in by the cover art, I was intrigued by the title and then hooked by the synopsis. A lover of history and a Christian, I was curious what ‘witnessing’ the centurion had been involved in as well as interested in learning more about people mentioned in the bible such as the Jewish High Priest of Jerusalem, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin Court Judge, Joseph of Arimathea, the Roman Governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate, the Pharisee member of the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus and the ruler of Galilee, King Herod Antipas. Mitchell has brought one of the most crucial moments of our history alive and is to be commended for his ability to relay the struggle of this pivotal moment, his ability to convey the life and times of a centurion and his ability to pen an engaging tale of resurrection and redemption.

I’ll admit to being taken aback by the language and the bordello scenes. I wasn’t expecting either in this book, didn’t think they added to the narrative, and am wondering if a wider audience appeal would be possible with them removed.

Mitchell’s military career has been instrumental in the success of this book. A foster child who went on to graduate from West Point Military Academy, become an Airborne Infantry Ranger and an aerospace systems engineer with impressive military career, Mitchell brings authenticity to Centurion Calix.

“Nothing good comes out of the desert.”

Despite my concerns, this is a satisfying and informative book. You’ll have to read to (1) discover if the above saying common to Roman soldiers in the Levant is true in this case and (2) find out what the Centurion witnessed.

I was gifted this copy by Ed Mitchell, California Coast Publishing, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.