{Booksneeze Review} The Skin Map by Stephen R. Lawhead

What if there were alternate universes to explore? What if the "ley lines" in the world allowed you to travel to them? What if you could experience history first-hand? What if there was a map - tattooed on to the torso of one traveler - that would help you find your way? What would you do?

The Skin Map explores this concept and does a very good job of it too.

The book follows the adventure of Kit Livingston. His life is turned upside down one fateful day when he meets his great-grandfather, Cosimo, in a cold back alley of London. There he learns why his ancestor suddenly disappeared one day and what he has been doing ever since. Kit decides that he does not want to follow in Cosimo's footsteps and returns to his rather dull life in modern day London. That is until he tries to explain to his girlfriend, Mina, why he is more than six hours late for their outing. Kit decides it's better to show than explain and that is when the real adventure begins. Both Kit and Mina are whisked away to another point in time, but are separated in the process. Kit begins a frantic journey to find her and seeks out the only person he knows that can help - his great-grandfather.

I wasn't exactly sure if this would be an enjoyable book or not. If it was too science-fiction, it wouldn't appeal to me. However, I decided to give it a try all the same. I'm glad I did as I ended up loving it. I was given a copy of the unabridged (my favorite type) audio book via the Booksneeze program. There were nine CDs for a total of over 11 hours of listening time. Since I wasn't entirely sure how "kid appropriate" it would be, I only listened to it when I was alone in my truck. I've since recommended my hubby and teenage son listen to it. I think they'd both enjoy it very much as well.

You can purchase the audio book either through Thomas Nelson or Amazon. 

The Skin Map is book one in the Bright Empires series. Book two is called The Bone House. I was so happy to learn book two was already out especially considering how book one ended!!! 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through theBookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”