PenWorks of the Word | Featured Book Review | Worn Sandals - Sean Lyon

Greetings, 

I found this book on social media, and it piqued my interest. As someone who loves this genre, I simply could not pass it up. So... I reached out to the author and told him I was going to review it. Little did Sean Lyon, or even I, know that we would find a genuine connection as writers, and I am honored to write this review. 

My goal with the PenWorks of the Word Blog Tour was to also review three books from different genres that were faith-based, well... you are getting two Biblical Fiction novels and one Christian Fantasy novel. While I didn't plan for this one to be part of the tour originally, I am certainly glad it is.

With that, I'll see you in the 'digital' pages, 

M.J.E

~~~

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Overall Description:

After Paul is forced to flee Thessalonica in the wake of the raid on Jason’s house, a small church learns to breathe without him. Markets still shout, ships still groan in the harbor, but behind ordinary doors a quieter work begins. Bread is shared. Psalms are sung. A name is spoken that Rome cannot rule.

Worn Sandals follows the believers who remain in Paul’s shadow: a stonemason who never meant to lead, a sandal maker with a past he cannot undo, a widowed mother and her laughing child, a foreign woman of ill repute and a longing heart, a skeptic who keeps showing up, and the official’s son who must decide which family claims him. They gather in workshops and courtyards, pass the kiss of peace with shy smiles, and learn to be a people one table at a time.

The story opens on wet stone and street dust, where a young preacher’s courage turns a forum into a sanctuary for a heartbeat too long. Rome notices. So do the neighbors. Pressure rises. Doors splinter. Yet the church answers with presence: washing road-torn feet, carrying stew to the sick, mending straps and souls in the same day. Scripture is not only recited but lived. Mercy looks like a seat kept empty for a man who is not ready to sit. Courage looks like refusing to repay insults in kind.

When threats sharpen, the little fellowship does what it has always done. It prays. It forgives. It eats together. It keeps watch in the night and lights lamps in the feast, telling old stories as their own. There are moments in a prison cell and at a shop bench, on rooftops and in rain, where grace arrives without announcement. Some are sent. Some stay. None are lost to the One who knows their names.

This is not a tale of thrones and banners. It is church as it began: awkward and honest, house by house, shaped by letters and lifted by songs. The theology runs through gesture more than argument, close to the ground and warm to the touch. No Bibles, no hymnals, only tables and grace, bread and psalms.

Walk the Via Egnatia. Smell leather and oil in a modest shop. Stand in a courtyard where small flames push back the dark. Watch a community learn to be family in a city that would rather forget them. Worn Sandals is historical fiction for readers who want the gospel not as a slogan but as a life shared, where miracles refuse to stay in the square and hope keeps setting tables in exile.

Pull up a stool. The lamps are lit. The bread is warm.

My Review of the Book:

Are you tired of historical Christian fiction that feels stiff, overly sanitized, or out of touch with real, gritty human experience? Well... This is not that kind of story. Sean Lyon has written something I am not used to seeing in the Biblical fiction genre. Worn Sandals is a breath of fresh air for historical narratives about the early church. If you're looking for a novel that brings the early days of faith to life in a refreshingly realistic way that is grounded in the beautiful messiness of real experience, let me tell you, this will not disappoint. It's a fast-paced and encouraging story focused on how real people make a real impact, reminding us that faith isn't just for the "heavy hitters”, like Paul, in the Bible. What I Loved... I was immediately and deeply drawn in by the authenticity of the novel. The narrative feels wonderfully Biblically accurate, and Lyon's descriptive language paints a picture of the first-century world that is both convincing and profoundly felt. The book is so fast-paced I couldn't put it down! For me, the absolute best part of Worn Sandals lies in its portrayal of relatable characters. Their stories of real-life experiences with faith and how it can change people are so encouraging and understandable. I absolutely fell in love with the dynamic between Lysias and Aristarchus. It was so powerful and serves as a touching representation of what mentoring others is truly all about. It's a moving illustration of the transformative power of faith that really spoke to me.

A particularly interesting and unexpected twist is the character of Marcus Cornelius, Paulus's son, who is positioned as the Roman antagonist. In Scripture, Paulus was the Roman leader in Cyprus when Saul, Barnabas, and John Mark visited Paphos, who ‘gave them an audience’. Making this connection was such an intriguing idea and offered an emotionally driven layer to the plot that didn't disappoint me in the slightest, and the connection to the existing story in the end. It was compelling, but I won't reveal any more plot points in this review.

Just a Few Reader Notes... While Lyon does really well with the rapid pacing, he chooses to drop you right in the middle of an ongoing story. This meant I had to retrace my reading steps a few times to catch my footing and connect some of the dots in the ongoing story because there wasn't much backstory provided upfront. There was nothing wrong with that either, just a personal preference. Also, as a reader who also writes, I would have enjoyed clearer signposts to indicate the change in the point of view. On my first read-through, the flow felt a little disorganized, but once I did catch on, I was right there with the characters, experiencing the story alongside them. I also appreciated the urgency and faithful intensity of Paul's mission. They are undeniable, and Paul is a complex character to nail down. While his dialogue occasionally felt overwhelming, it truly captured the weight I believe Paul felt for his calling. This truly was a compelling read that I enjoyed spending time with. Worn Sandals is a welcome and highly recommended addition to historical Christian fiction. It is a realistic, immensely encouraging story that will surprise you at times, but you will also find it easy to relate to and difficult to put down.

~~~

Matthew (also known by his pen names M.J. Elliott and E.M. James) is an award-winning, dedicated writer with a deep passion for sharing the word of Christ. He is married and the proud father of three wonderful children who continually inspire his faith and creativity. Through his writing, Matthew seeks to minister with love, equip others with encouragement, and help readers encounter God in real and meaningful ways.