Wilderness Rising by A.L. Shields

Wilderness Rising

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When I first started reading Wilderness Rising, I didn’t realize that it was the second book in the series. I quickly realized this and wished I had read the first book before diving into this book, but, thanks to some back story being given throughout the book, I was able to, for the most part, follow the story line and get into the book . It does make me want to go back and read the first book.

From what I can tell, Wilderness Rising picks up where The Church Builder left off. Bethany Barclay has surfaced from being underground and is on a mission to find an ancient relic in an effort to save her friend who is being held hostage by the Wilderness. The Wilderness isn’t the only group that wants the ancient relic (or Bethany), so Bethany has to be very careful at every turn as she tries to follow her murdered friend’s clues. As she starts following the clues, she realizes that she’s actually searching for two different things which puts her life in even more jeopardy.

The story was, at times, a little hard to follow, but I think that was more because I hadn’t read the first book and not due to the writing style. It definitely kept me on my feet as I wondered what would happen next and what group or person would try to thwart her plans. Everything was definitely not what it seemed at the surface. I enjoyed the different characters and the story development. I even enjoyed the confusion aspect of the book as it felt like I was in Bethany’s shoes.

Now, I need to go back and read The Church Builder and then wait for the next book in the series to be released.

Book Description

From A. L. Shields-pseudonym for New York Times best-selling author Stephen L. Carter-comes the thrilling sequel to The Church Builder.

An age-old struggle between the enemies of God and the champions of faith.

A rumored relic that could prove Christ performed miracles-or declare him a fraud.

A woman on the run from international authorities.

Bethany Barclay is fighting to outwit the Wilderness, an ancient and powerful cabal bent on destroying Christianity. Its members murdered her best friend, framed her for acts of terrorism, and captured the brilliant teen hacker she vowed to protect. To ransom the girl, Bethany must find the Pilate Stone-a mysterious first-century artifact that might not even exist.

But she’s not the only one looking for the stone. In an international landscape of double agents, Bethany finds it impossible to tell friend from foe. The Garden, a secret group of powerful intellectuals sworn to save the Church and help Bethany, is collapsing under the rising power of the Wilderness. And an ocean separates her from her only proven ally-the lone wolf Ray Fuentes, who has battles of his own to fight.

A sparse trail of breadcrumbs takes Bethany across Europe into a labyrinth of academics, art historians, and followers of a reclusive monastic order. As her quest transforms into an ever more complex and dangerous game, unlikely actors in the drama emerge. Some are ruthlessly devoted to preserving a world where faith is possible. Others aim to brutally, and finally, undermine belief.

Including her own.

About the Author

A. L. Shields is a pseudonym for Stephen L. Carter, William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law at Yale, where he has taught for thirty years. He is also the author of seven acclaimed works of nonfiction and five best-selling novels. His first novel, The Emperor of Ocean Park (2002), spent eleven weeks on the New York Times best seller list.

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