The Seed: A True Myth by Erik Guzman | RE:VIEW

The Seed by Erick Guzman is an interesting tale depicting an enhanced and slightly changed version of the Biblical narrative of the Garden of Eden and the fall and redemption of man. Using a total of five characters throughout the story, I feel the term "myth" is accurately applied to this book.

I will agree that Guzman takes liberties to create an interesting story without "theological language or Christian terms", though for any Christian familiar with the Biblical narrative, the story is easily mapped out. I did appreciate the vivid parallels that Guzman was able to convey between a society (not unlike ours) that works to wall ourselves off and thinks we are better than we are. I also enjoyed his depiction of good and evil and the way that, to those without eyes opened to the way of Love (his character name for God), what you see as "good" looks uninteresting and even repulsive.

To be honest though, I didn't enjoy this like I thought I would. I read "Christian fantasy tale" in the description and the comparison of C.S. Lewis by early reviews, and my mind immediately jumped to something along the lines of The Screwtape Letters (my favorite Lewis novel.) Reading The Seed, I didn't personally see those comparisons. I found myself mired in uninteresting and simplistic dialogue, an off putting sense of the world/time spectrum, and an unnecessary use of foul language.

I understand that putting the term "myth" in the subtitle allows for an adjustment of expectations and I would agree this is much more "myth-like" than it is novel or story-like. It's an allegorical journey but not a story in the way Lord of the Rings is allegorical. Go into it realizing this and you may enjoy it if that type of book appeals to you.

Purchase: The Seed

Book Description
(from Amazon)

Young Madeline and Roark are desperately running from the shadow that destroyed their home and is threatening their lives. One day, they encounter Tatus, an older man who has sworn to avenge the death of his family at the hands of the shadow, and they form an alliance with him. Tatus promises that he can keep them safe from the shadow if they will help him build a fortress. So they build.

But as fortress-building consumes their lives, Madeline and Roark are increasingly filled with anger and fear, and an unseen evil threatens to ultimately destroy them. When they finally face the shadow, he presents them with an unthinkable offer that will reveal shocking secrets of the forgotten past, the unseen present, and the unimaginable future.

We've all had the feeling that something's not quite right with our lives. It's bigger than any specific failure or disappointment. It's bigger than any person. No matter what you achieve or how much you drink or sleep, you can't shake it. It haunts you-night and day-and propels you to do something. So you build. You build and build the maze that is your exhausting life. Sound vaguely familiar?

The Seed: A True Myth is a journey into the personal labyrinths we create to protect ourselves and those we love from the pain of living in a broken world. Guzman's "true myth" takes the reader on an unforgettable journey that is, in essence, the grand narrative of God's redemptive work in the world. This page-turning Christian fantasy tale is packed with mystery and drama, and readers will feel the weight and power of redemption as they journey alongside Guzman's characters in their epic battle. The Seed deftly communicates the heart of Trinitarian theology through story-without using theological language or Christian terms-and reinforces biblical themes such as God's character and man's true identity and calling.

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I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.