"Our kids love it!" Here is a sparkling new Christmas classic your whole family will love. The Last Magi is the story of Artaban, the fourth Wise Man, who leaves his betrothed, the beautiful Rasha, to follow his fellow Magi to Bethlehem. Arriving too late, he sets out to find the child born under the star. Years pass as Artaban chases wisps and rumors across two continents. Weary and impoverished, the last Magi refuses to quit his quest, even as time is running out. "Jubilant and deeply moving," says author Robert Lampros.
Verified Purchase - 5 stars
This book is awesome. So many times in life people say give up, what's the point, you'll never do it. Artaban never gives up. I admire that. He has a job to do and he keeps at it even though people call him crazy. It doesn't matter what they think. Don't give up. Don't take the easy way. So even thow it's about things that happened 2000 years ago some things don't change. Be strong.
Verified Purchase - 5 stars
Like the author of this slender, marvelous book, I first became acquainted with the story of Artaban through Henry Van Dyke's version. The story is a classic but this retelling is more accessible and exciting for modern readers, suitable for adults or as a read-aloud for children. A particularly welcome change is a new character, Rasha, Artaban's fiancé. Females are conspicuously absent in the original and this smart, headstrong girl lends romance to the story. The new version has two great twists at the end that give it greater impact. I like the original but I LOVE this version!
Verified Purchase - 5 stars
What I enjoyed most about this book was its sense of humor. Everyone in old time Christmas stories is so solemn and serious. Didn't they ever crack a smile? The humorist in this account is a disreputable, untrustworthy liar named Ismail. He becomes the Magi's servant and undergoes a transformation but he never lets go of his sense of humor. This is a serious book about a serious subject but it never never takes itself too seriously. I like that.
Verified Purchase - 5 stars
I honestly felt that I was a constant & very close onlooker in this story ! I could feel the sand swirling around me, it's grit in my mouth. Each story told by another traveler kept me alert, anxious, and excited ! With each experience the Magi had....the author made me feel that I was one with the characters . I was a character! Weather it be a suffering animal eager to please my master. Or a man drinking and playing games with other men . And believe me these are not activities that I would be an eager participant ! Ugh and the raw oder of men was thick and real ! This story was REAL and I will miss watching and playing my part !!!
Verified Purchase - 5 stars
I could barely sleep so I downloaded this book to my kindle. I wasn't exactly having a dark night of the soul, but I was spiritually down if you know what I mean. "The Last Magi" lifted me up and made me feel better. The story is simple and simply told, but what a story! This is a quest in the most epic sense about a man who dedicates his life to what many, even his devoted servant, believe is basically a fool's errand. The Last Magi just made me happy. It made me realize the true worth of people, even those we're down on, including ourselves. A good book to read in a blue mood.
Verified Purchase - 5 stars
There are no words that can adequately express how deeply I appreciate this story. The author has a way with words that makes ancient times come alive. The characters are very real flesh-and-blood people as alive as anyone you know. The spiritual content of the writing impacted me hugely. I hated for it to end, which was bittersweet and gave me a lump in the throat. I am so glad I found this book.
