This Present Darkness meets historical legends in this Biblically grounded series.
The suicide of Judas Iscariot in 30 A.D. left his blood seeping into the soil of the Field of Blood, in Aramaic the Akeldama. When this same field is disturbed by work crews outside Jerusalem in 1989, a clan of supernatural Collectors is released from the ancient burial chambers. Infused with Judas's enmity, they seek to corrupt and destroy.
Gina Lazarescu has always felt like she didn't quite belong. But a bizarre accident with a delivery van leaves her questioning if the differences aren't more significant than she realized. When a man she met as a young girl in Romania reappears with a fantastic tale of immortality, Gina must decide whether to believe or to ignore what she's seeing.
Regardless of what she decides, she's headed for an unavoidable collision with the Akeldama.
Pages:
300 Format:
Paperback EAN/ISBN:
1595544585 Publisher:
Thomas Nelson Publishers
ASuspense Zone book of the month| Posted January 08, 2009
Before I start with my review I want to encourage you to look at Field of Blood with an open mind and not toss it aside because it's a vampire novel. Sure, it's about vampires, but it is so not a typical clichéd vampire novel. Though supernatural in nature the book is also filled with a valuable message that we all need to hear and embrace. Everyone is vulnerable without the power of Christ. We have free will and can choose God or walk away from Him and live in our own sin.
The story holds two major storylines, seeming unrelated at first but brought together as the story unfolds. The first plot line opens with Judas Iscariot ending his life and his blood seeping into burial graves. Fast forward to 1989 where the site is excavated and the souls, The Collectors, are freed to wander among the living. But these Collectors are not the only immortals wandering the earth. They are accompanied by thirty eight individuals, the Nistarim, who were marked by God to protect the human race. The Nistarim hunt the Collectors and vice versa.
The second storyline revolves around a Romania girl, Gina Lazarescu who at first is unaware she is being hunted by the undead. She is whisked to America by her mother to keep her safe as she grows up. As Gina becomes suspicious of her mysterious past, she shoots to center stage in the war between good and evil, transforming the book into a nonstop page turner.
I have chosen Field of Blood as The Suspense Zone's book of the month for December for the originality of plot, the extensive research, the spiritual message, Wilson’s fine prose, and Wilson’s willingness to take on a topic that Christians will surely talk about for years to come.
I am unabashedly an Eric Wilson fan and have loved all of his previous works. When he announced the upcoming Undead Trilogy, I blinked a few times, and sighed. Why Eric, why? Why mess with what I have enjoyed reading for years? I am not a huge supernatural/speculative fiction reader, and definitely not a gothic vampire novel lover, so when the book arrived, I began to read simply because Wilson had earned my respect as a writer and captured my joy of reading as a reader.
With an open mind ?, I delved into the book and was pleasantly surprised that the story was not at all what I expected. It was so much more and it held Wilson’s signature writing with flawed characters and a strong message without preaching. Sure, the book is dark, but it is written with enough realism to make the reader think it could really happen, and Wilson’s humor helps to lighten the mood.
So put aside your preconceived notions, put aside your distaste for supernatural books, and embrace Field of Blood. You will be glad you did and will eagerly await book two, Haunt of Jackals.
Field of Blood: A Review| Posted September 26, 2008
by Jake Chism
In 1989, a work crew outside of Jerusalem accidentally discovers an ancient burial chamber beneath the field where Judas Iscariot hung himself. In the shadows, evil spirits, known as Collectors, wait for a new opportunity to once again take on human form to bring destruction to the world. As the Collectors claim the bodies of the dead they discover new power from the blood of Judas that was swallowed up by the earth when he died. Armed with evil intent and a never ending thirst for blood, the Collectors seek to destroy their immortal enemies who draw life from the blood of the Nazarene. Caught between both sides, a young Romanian girl is about to discover she is far more important than she could ever imagine.
Eric Wilson blends history and fiction seamlessly in this astonishing beginning to the Jerusalem’s Undead Trilogy. Field of Blood is being marketed as a Christian Vampire story, but in reality this is so much more. Fear not bloodsucker fans, there are plenty of vampires to go around and Wilson’s original approach to a widely popular genre is excitingly fresh and innovative. However, Wilson has successfully done what few have even attempted: blending vampire lore with Christianity. The result is a wondrous story that is thrilling at every turn, consistently eye-opening, and ultimately inspirational.
Wilson’s characters leap off the page drawing us ever deeper into this wonderfully complex story. These villains are evil to the core and we are never spared a detail in the frightening bloodshed and carnage they bestow. The heroes are wonderfully flawed, endearing, and even infectious in their perpetual stand for righteousness. As the story progresses we are whisked from location to location with stunning detail. Whether it’s Jerusalem, Romania, or even Chattanooga, Tennessee, Wilson effortlessly convinces us we are along for the ride. Eric Wilson’s faithful fans will also love the subtle connections to his previous works that are laced throughout the story.
Field of Blood will no doubt spark controversy and I’m sure many readers will hear the words “Christian” and “Vampire” in same sentence and run for the hills. Unfortunately for them, they will miss out on what is not only Eric Wilson’s best novel to date, but easily one of the most powerful and inspirational novels I’ve read in years. This is intense and edgy writing to be sure, yet nowhere will you find the redemptive power of Christ’s blood explored so brilliantly in fiction. And the best part? There are still two more books to come! I’ve had my taste and I am so thirsty for more….
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from The Christian Manifesto. Click here to visit TheChristianManifesto.com today!
Doubly Dead?| Posted May 18, 2010
Doubly Dead, or Doubly Alive?
With Field of Blood, Eric Wilson delivers another action-packed, yet thought-provoking novel. The content of this novel is not for the faint-hearted. Read with caution, for your very soul is at stake. The Field of Blood, or in Aramaic, the Akeldama, was the final resting place for Judas Iscariot. Or was it? When a freak accident opens up ancient burial grounds within the Field, an evil unlike any other is unleashed on all the world. Their purpose? To kill, corrupt, and destroy.
Enter Gina Lazarescu. A small, yet strong-willed woman with a shrouded past and a uncertain future. When she uncovers buried secrets about her past, her life is turned upside-down as she learns more about her heritage and her purpose. Eric Wilson is truly in his prime with this novel. This is one of the rare novels that, quite literally, had me ripping through the pages as fast as I could. It seemlessly combines elements of the supernatural realm with our physical world, and the result? A novel that reads like the next blockbuster movie, all the while, scintillating with truths that pertain to everyday life. Simply put, this novel kicks off an already amazing series!
New Look at a Classic genre| Posted June 10, 2009
When I heard Eric Wilson was writing a Christian Vampire trilogy I was very interested to see how he would pull off blending faith and vampires. You can tell he put a lot of research and time into this book and Man does it work. I was blown away with how he combined everything. This is really a story about all of us and how we are tempted by things around us. We can either fall prey to these things or prevail with the help of the Nazarenes blood.
The story follows Gina Lazarescu and her search to find out who she really is and the secrets of her past that seem to be hidden. Also their are the undead who were tainted with Judas' blood. Follow them both and see how their worlds collide.
Eric Wilson really pulled it off with book and Icant wait for the other books in the trilogy. I also liked how he brought in a character who was related to someone in another of his books. A great read for those looking for something different, lovers of vampire books, or just those trying to see how he pulled off combining faith and vampires.
New Look at a Classic Genre!!!| Posted October 28, 2008
When I heard Eric Wilson was writing a Christian Vampire trilogy I was very interested to see how he would pull off blending faith and vampires. You can tell he put a lot of research and time into this book and Man does it work. I was blown away with how he combined everything. This is really a story about all of us and how we are tempted by things around us. We can either fall prey to these things or prevail with the help of the Nazarenes blood.
The story follows Gina Lazarescu and her search to find out who she really is and the secrets of her past that seem to be hidden. Also their are the undead who were tainted with Judas' blood. Follow them both and see how their worlds collide.
Eric Wilson really pulled it off with book and Icant wait for the other books in the trilogy. I also liked how he brought in a character who was related to someone in another of his books. A great read for those looking for something different, lovers of vampire books, or just those trying to see how he pulled off combining faith and vampires.
