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Archangel Michael discovers that The Book of Fate is missing pages and only records two wise men at the first nativity. He calls in Archangel Gabriel to investigate. There is, however, one condition: God requests that he take Davey Hart with him on his mission. When Gabriel retrieves Davey on Christmas Eve, he finds him praying about his older brother’s bullying. Davey wants to be brave and stand up to his brother, so he is convinced to go with Gabriel, hoping that Balthazar can teach him to fight. More importantly, as Gabriel warns, “It’s just that if Balthazar doesn’t go to Bethlehem, Christmas will disappear forever.” The two magically travel back to the first Christmas to find Balthazar. Will they be successful? Will Davey find the inner courage to not only survive the trip, but to change his situation at home?
The author hits just the right balance of nativity story and action-packed quest in this novel. When Gabriel and Davey travel to the first Christmas to find Balthazar, they are taken into his caravan. Morgan explores the daily life of the caravan as well as the political aspects of the times, which offers an educational aspect to the novel. As they try to convince Balthazar of the importance of his diverting to Bethlehem, the nativity story is related to him through the two. As the narrative builds, the caravan encounters hardships and Roman soldiers. Readers will enjoy the relationship that develops between Davey and the goat herder and apprentice Avi, as well as the one he builds with Balthazar, who becomes his mentor and teacher. Morgan’s novel presents an innovative premise along with well-rounded, interesting characters in this imaginative retelling of the Christmas story. Throw in the camel lore and adventure, and you have a captivating novel.