My rating: 3/5
An intriguing political thriller, with a moving Christian theme, Lion of Babylon by Davis Bunn follows Marc Royce, a former U.S. Intelligence operative, as he embarks on a momentous journey to Baghdad, Iraq on a governmental assignment, to locate and rescue a missing U.S. Intelligence agent and fellow friend. During his time in Baghdad, Marc will quickly discover that this mission is more than just a job-related task but will also be a catalyst to strengthen his faith, renew the purposeful calling in his life, and birth a life changing friendship that defies the historical tension between America and Iraq.
An enjoyable aspect of Lion of Babylon is the element of Christian faith content within the plot. The inclusion of spiritual wisdom in the narrative provided an immersive component to an otherwise contentious subject. Religion is a central topic of the novel, as religious tensions between those of the Islamic faith and Christians are one of the significant issues that impact Baghdad, a historically Islamic region. The rise in believers of Jesus increases radical resistance from the conservative diplomats, resulting in the use of intimidating tactics intended on extinguishing the growing religious shift. The story superbly reflects the hardships that those in other countries may encounter while practicing Christianity. The following quote in the book summarizes this point.
“First of all, we do not ever mention the word, Christian. There are too many trappings attached to that word, too much history. For most Arab Muslims, Christianity represents the Crusades and Western colonization and oppression. Here and now, we come together in the name of Jesus. That for us is everything” (Lion of Babylon).
Unfortunately, the novel falls short in the level of enthralling action that could have been captured in the plot. For example, the story ends with a perilous rescue mission, that left me desiring more thrill and intrigue. There were several moments in the book where I lacked the heart-clenching, exhilarating experience while reading the action scenes in the story. Nonetheless, this is an enjoyable read with themes of hope, faith, and restoration that points to the grace of Jesus Christ.
