Book Reviews - Blaze of Honor by D.M. Griffin

Greetings, 

I'm so excited to share this review with you today. I have always enjoyed reading this author's books and can't wait to read the other ones as they come out. D.M. Griffin is a fantastic author, and I encourage you to read any of her stories. You can also follow her on Substack now. 

But I won't hold you up any longer. Blaze of Honor comes out later this week, May 12th. I'm sure there will be a few more of these reviews over the next few days. 

See you in the pages,

M.J.E.

~~~

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Overall Description:

A BLAZE OF HONOR WOULD EITHER CONSUME HIM OR ILLUMINATE THE PATH TO LOVE!

Joram couldn’t pinpoint the burning conviction in his heart, the reason honoring his father felt like the only path to a life that pleased God. He remembered the unheard prayers of a five-year-old whose mother betrayed the sanctity of family and knew well the bitterness in his father’s heart. Whatever the reason, Joram, a man of few words, lived an obedient life. He adopted his father's wishes and desires as if they were born from his own heart, and with that came his father’s simmering bitterness and ingrained distrust of women.

Driven by a desire for Joram to achieve more than a shepherd's humble existence, his father pressured him to excel academically, tirelessly seeking the approval of powerful figures. Joram's life took a dramatic turn when he captured the attention of Parthia's notorious bandit leaders.

Caught in a dizzying storm of politics and family vendettas, Joram reluctantly accepts a fake marriage, meant to bring a young woman to Jerusalem so she could marry another man. Knowing how his father felt about women, a view he adopted as his own, Joram wasn’t prepared for the transformation that would take place once he began playing the role of a husband for all the wrong reasons.

The treacherous journey, marked by near-death experiences, culminated with them arriving in Jerusalem amidst the vibrant Feast of Weeks. With his knowledge of God ringing hollow as a mere religious duty, Joram divorced his wife and surrendered her to another man, determined to honor his word. But when he stumbles upon the truth and feels the burning intensity of the Holy Spirit descend in a blaze of honor that illuminates far more than he could have ever imagined, Joram has to decide if he is willing to walk the path of love.

~~~

My Review of this Book:

Have you ever wondered about the people who witnessed some of the most meaningful moments in biblical history, or the stories they might have experienced themselves? If so, you don’t have to look any further than D.M. Griffin's newest Spirit Ignited series of Biblical Fiction.

Blaze of Honor surprised me in the best way and is the first book in the new series. I went into this book knowing that it would be good, but there were a lot of purposeful encounters along the way. From the first chapters, I found myself on a historic adventure with characters I honestly didn’t realize would stick with me for so long after I read their story. 

From the very first pages, I found myself intrigued by the story and the details Griffin expertly crafted throughout the book. The characters were relatable and engaging while maintaining a memorable wave of emotions to go along with them. As I experienced the story alongside the characters, I found that the balance between internal and external conflicts kept me glued to the story the entire time. 

As with many of the books I have read by D.M. Griffin, there is a poetic and reflective narrative that works really well. This time, the author captivated me with her adaptation of first-person storytelling. She weaves every detail into this novel at exactly the right moment, and it flows like a movie playing in my chaotic ADHD mind. I am someone who often struggles to read a book in one sitting, but with Blaze of Honor, I finished it in a matter of days. 

There are several shining moments throughout the narrative of this story. One aspect I appreciate about Griffin’s work is how several characters often lean on Scripture as they navigate through the multilayered narrative she crafts with each story she writes. Blaze of Honor especially stood out to me with its focus on this.

Without going into too much detail, the message of the book does not shy away from hard topics such as honoring your father and mother, sentiments of love and regret, honor among thieves, and the realities of brokenness. It reminds us that even amidst the chaos we all endure in life, there is still God above who is directing our course in life. 

Blaze of Honor also takes a deeper step into the childhood trauma of divorce. Griffin handles this with care and emotional honesty that stood out to me. This is a topic that the world often brushes aside to save face. To see it approached with such grace will encourage those who have endured traumatic childhood events along the way in this journey we all call life. 

By the time I reached the end, it delivered exactly what I had hoped for, while still offering a twist I didn’t see coming.  The last-minute connections across the blueprint of this story came to life and created a vibrant community that echoes what I have found in my own research of the early church and what they built. 

One of my favorite parts was the imagery of the falcon, Kavode. I won’t spoil the big reveal, but trust me when I say it ties beautifully into the epilogue. I look forward to investing in a hard copy of this one and encourage you to grab it when it comes out on May 12th.