Spotlight: There Comes a Prophet by David Litwack

There Comes a Prophet by David Litwack

A world kept peaceful for a thousand years by the magic of the ruling vicars. But a threat lurks from a violent past. Wizards from the darkness have hidden their sorcery in a place called the keep and left a trail of clues that have never been solved.

Nathaniel has grown up longing for more but unwilling to challenge the vicars. Until his friend Thomas is taken for a teaching, the mysterious coming-of-age ritual. Thomas returns but with his dreams ripped away. When Orah is taken next, Nathaniel tries to rescue her and ends up in the prisons of Temple City. There he meets the first keeper of the ancient clues. But when he seeks the keep, what he finds is not magic at all.

If he reveals the truth, the words of the book of light might come to pass:

“If there comes among you a prophet saying ‘Let us return to the darkness,’ you shall stone him, because he has sought to thrust you away from the light.”

Q: Which is better: fantasy or science fiction? A: Why decide?  Just have both genres rolled into one awesome book!

There Comes a Prophet by David Litwack is one such book.  It takes place in a society that, long ago, was incredibly technologically advanced.  But when the Temple of Light gradually took control, technology was forbidden because of the evils it caused in the world (nevermind that it did a lot of good too).  Enter our three protagonists: Orah, Thomas and Nathaniel.  They have been given the key to restoring long-lost knowledge to their world.  But of course societies don’t change overnight and neither do people.

The ‘rebellion’ is not your typical YA novel rebellion.  It doesn’t start suddenly because of the actions of a couple of teenagers.  This, combined with the history of David Litwack’s world,  is what makes There Comes a Prophet so believable.  David Litwack obviously understands how people and societies work, therefore straying away from typical fantasy/science fiction clichés.

If you love fantasy or science fiction (or both!) you’ll love There Comes a Prophet.