The Fire of Eden by Antony Barone Kolenc
Trumpet Tuesday: The Fire of Eden (Book 3 in The Harwood Mysteries)
Antony Barone Kolenc
My award-winning inspirational historical fiction series, The Harwood Mysteries, tells the ongoing story of Alexander (“Xan”), a peasant boy in twelfth-century England who—along with his friends, Lucy and Christina—must solve spooky mysteries and go on adventures even as historical events unfold around them. Shadow in the Dark (Book 1) was released in July 2020; The Haunted Cathedral (Book 2) was released in February 2021; and The Fire of Eden (Book 3) was released in July 2021. In this blog post, I give a behind-the-story glimpse at the history behind the novels.
Shadow in the Dark takes place at a fictional Benedictine monastery set in Yorkshire, England, in 1184 A.D. The novel begins as bandits attack Xan’s manor, and he winds up at Harwood Abbey being cared for by the “black monks”—named because of the black robes that the Benedictines wore. The novel explores the historical manorial/feudal system in place during this medieval period, which students learn about in their middle-grade social studies curriculum. Seen through the eyes of a boy who is a “serf”—essentially an indentured servant to the lord of the manor where his family lives—the reader gets an in-depth view of how aristocratic landlords met their obligations to King Henry II by having peasants work their land and pay for the right to live in the village by paying rents of crops and livestock. The book also provides extensive insight into the role of the monasteries and monks in preserving, not only the texts of the Sacred Scriptures, but also the great classic works of Western Civilization. Some of the few literate persons in the middle ages, monks spent their time praying seven times a day and copying these great works of literature.
In The Haunted Cathedral, the action moves to Lincoln, England, in 1185 A.D. The setting of the novel mostly involves the two great historical landmarks of Lincolnshire: Lincoln Castle and Lincoln Cathedral. The history of both structures is explored as Xan, Lucy, and Christina investigate whether the ghost of a little girl haunts the cathedral. In particular, the amazing true story of Lincoln Cathedral is revealed, along with the many tragedies and mysteries that occurred within the church through the ages. The climax of the book tracks a major historical event that takes place within Lincoln Cathedral itself during Holy Week in April 1185, with the main characters experiencing one of the most incredible events ever to take place in Lincoln (which reveals the solution to the ghost mystery, too!).
In The Fire of Eden, also set in 1185, Xan and Lucy spend much of the book at a smaller abbey that is suffering under the type of corruption that was too rampant in the Benedictine order at that time. Indeed, in the century leading up to the novel, there were major reforms going on in monastic life, with new orders and reformers attempting to weed out some of the corruption that had rotted away at the beauties of monastic life up to that time. In the process, readers are introduced to some of the history behind the First and Second Crusades, which took place in 1095 and 1147. The novels build upon the ongoing period of Christian influence in the Holy Land, and are leading up to major events in the Third Crusade, already unfolding as the protagonists journey through their teenage years.
The series is both entertaining and educational, with readers learning much about the life and times of twelfth-century England, one of the most fascinating and consequential periods in medieval history. The books have won praise from critics, along with a growing list of accolades: 2021 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, Gold Medal: Young Adult Fiction – Religion/Spirituality; 2021 Illumination Book Awards, Gold Medal: Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction; 2021 International Book Awards, 1st Place: Religious Fiction; 2020 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, Gold Medal: Young Adult Fiction – Mystery; 2021 Independent Publisher Book Awards, Bronze Medal: Religious Fiction; 2021 Catholic Media Association Book Awards, 3rd Place: Escapism; 2021 ACP Excellence in Publishing Awards, 3rd Place: Young Readers.
Read, learn, and enjoy!
Tony is the author of The Harwood Mysteries, an award-winning medieval historical fiction series for youth published by Loyola Press. He is also the host of The Shepherd’s Pie, a radio show and podcast that focuses on youth issues. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps after 21 years of military service, and he now teaches law and writes a regular column in Practical Homeschooling Magazine. He also authors legal casebooks, book chapters, and journal articles on matters of constitutional law, homeschooling law, and military policy. He and his wife, Alisa, homeschooled their five children.
https://www.theharwoodmysteries.com/
