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Featured Story: Judas Tree - Novella One

Renee Stevens

Entry posted by Renee Stevens in Featured Stories

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I'm back!!! First off, a great big THANK YOU to Cia and Steve (aka Wildone) for covering for me while I was gone. It's the start of a new week and a great time for another Featured Story entry! This week we're taking a look at Judas Tree - Novella One by AC Benus! Thank you Timothy M. for the review, hopefully it inspires members to check out the story!


by



Author


Reviewer: Timothy M.
Status: Complete
Word Count: 15,434

 

I stumbled on this story almost by accident, and I even managed to read the third novella first. But it didn’t matter: once I started reading, I was completely enchanted by Simon, the main character of Judas Tree.

 

We first meet him as he is being punished for a silly prank in school. As he looks back on the events which led him to this moment, he is reminded of significant encounters in the past. Slowly he and we gain an understanding of what caused the inexplicable but symbolic act of rebellion against authority.

 

If you are nostalgic for the lost innocence of childhood or just want to explore the recent past when Star Wars was a new and exciting film, you’ll love this story. If you want to read something quite different from the usual romances and struggles with identity and coming out, plunge right in. You’ll encounter a young boy slowly discovering the meaning of love, and how to distinguish right from wrong, even if it means going against peer pressure and the stupidity of adults.

 

However, be prepared to hold your breath from worry and grind your teeth in anger and wrinkle your brow in speculation. Because this story has our innocent hero facing a number of dangers and enemies and wrongs, as well as several mysteries, which to us may seem trivial but influence Simon from age ten to fourteen.

 

Or at least the behavior of people and various events are puzzling to Simon, while we as adults know the grim truth. Helpless we watch him come close to the brink and we hope or even pray for him to get out of the situation safe and sound, both physically and spiritually.

 

If this sounds almost religious, you’re not far off. I was totally impressed with the way AC managed to portray Simon and make it credible that he is pure of heart, trusting and good and at the same time clever and understanding and helpful too. Simon made me believe in the love of God for mankind - or at least what Christianity is supposed to be about, which is quite miraculous for a non-devout skeptic like me.

 

But while religion and faith plays an important part, since Simon goes to a Catholic school, it’s not the main reason why I’m fascinated. No, it’s the interaction of Simon with the people of the town of Judas Tree, whether permanent residents or transient. This is where AC excels: the dialogue, the description of gestures and behavior and significant looks, how he leaves things unsaid, but still obvious to us as readers, and of course the way he can make the people around Simon come alive seemingly with no effort and without long-winded descriptions.
But most of all the insight of Simon, who at crucial moments knows what to say or do, even when he is bewildered by the incomprehensible actions of other people. Not that Simon is perfect; he makes mistakes too and even hurts his friends and holds back due to fear when he should have spoken. But he still shines like a bright light, a beacon of love and devotion, and I’m grateful to have made his acquaintance.

 

Please give it a try and come join us in the Judas Tree story forum too.

 


Category: Fiction Genres: Comedy, Drama, Thriller/Suspense Tags: Abuse, Philosophy, Religion, Brothers, Friendship, No Sex Rating: Mature

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22 Comments

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Rano

Thanks for the review, Timothy. You've sold me Judas Tree :) Downloaded and on my reading list.

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Suvitar

I was looking for something totally different to read when I came across this story. After I started to read it I couldn´t stop until I got to the end. It is a great story even if it is sad and sometimes very hard to read. I still have the next two parts to read. 

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Valkyrie
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I've read the first two and have the third on my list.  It's a great series.  Definitely worth the read. 

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Cole Matthews

What a wonderful storyline and characters!!!! The writing is beautiful, emotions raw and genuine. I fell in love with Simon and Dustin and cant wait to see what's next. I highly recommend reading all three. Thanks AC for sharing this with us! :) and Timothy M for reviewing it.

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Lisa

Timothy, that was a fantastic review! You know, when you're editing a piece of work, you're so busy concentrating on the editing and making sure the story flows and there's continuity, etc., that you don't really have time to stop and think of what all these situations mean for the characters.

 

I want to read this story all over again just from reading your review. It is a terrific story and AC is a wonderful storyteller. Plus I'm also learning a lot about Christianity. lol Pretty good for a Jewish girl like me. :)

 

Simon is adorable and he's learning many life lessons at such young ages. He's a sweet and gentle kid that anyone would be lucky to call a friend.

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ColumbusGuy

A great review, Tim.  Entices one to read the story without giving any of the plot twists away.  I'm working through Novella III now, and am being battered by so many emnotions, but it's a story you can't stop until the end--and it is well worth it!

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Headstall

As I already said to AC, this story is a revelation. The skill with which AC evokes emotions and thoughts and memories is astonishing. There are so many brilliant and mesmerizing authors on this site but there is no one quite like AC. He tells a story in his own unique way...he draws you in and grabs a hold on you that you don't want relinquished. I approached this story with trepidation because I thought the subject matter was something to be avoided. I am glad to say that I was so wrong. I really think that Simon and Dustin will live with me forever. There is an innocence in their characters that illuminates their story even when surrounded by vileness, evil and injustice. I will be forever grateful for being allowed to take this journey with Simon and through him, Dustin and all the other characters. The great thing for me is that after three novellas, there is still more to come. In case you haven't guessed, I highly recommend this to everyone who appreciates a story that will leave a lasting impression. Cheers...Gary

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AC Benus

My Gosh! You are all so kind...

 

Since I am allowed to 'quote,' I will try to thank each of you individually :)

 

[but, give me a little time, lol]

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AC Benus

Thanks for the review, Timothy. You've sold me Judas Tree  :) Downloaded and on my reading list.

Rano, thanks, and I hope your list is a short one ;)  

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AC Benus

I was looking for something totally different to read when I came across this story. After I started to read it I couldn´t stop until I got to the end. It is a great story even if it is sad and sometimes very hard to read. I still have the next two parts to read. 

Thank you, Suvitar. Your reviews for Judas Tree were great, and I was happily surprised you read the whole piece, even though you had started out looking for something 'light.' 

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AC Benus

I've read the first two and have the third on my list.  It's a great series.  Definitely worth the read. 

That you, Valkyrie71! Your support means a lot to me.

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AC Benus

What a wonderful storyline and characters!!!! The writing is beautiful, emotions raw and genuine. I fell in love with Simon and Dustin and cant wait to see what's next. I highly recommend reading all three. Thanks AC for sharing this with us! :) and Timothy M for reviewing it.

Thank you, Cole! You flattered me by sitting down and reading the first three novellas in basically one sitting. That is a great honor to me, and humbling too. I hope the last two can complete the series in a way will still leave you wanting more :) 

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AC Benus

Timothy, that was a fantastic review! You know, when you're editing a piece of work, you're so busy concentrating on the editing and making sure the story flows and there's continuity, etc., that you don't really have time to stop and think of what all these situations mean for the characters.

 

I want to read this story all over again just from reading your review. It is a terrific story and AC is a wonderful storyteller. Plus I'm also learning a lot about Christianity. lol Pretty good for a Jewish girl like me. :)

 

Simon is adorable and he's learning many life lessons at such young ages. He's a sweet and gentle kid that anyone would be lucky to call a friend.

Dearest Lisa - so much of the strength of this series comes from your forbearance with my sometimes (that is, often) over-reaching text and foibles that you try to reign in. And also from your insight and suggestions. I do not know if you remember the advise or not, but the way you reacted to the climax of From the Depths helped me gauge the way to fine tune Simon's lonely thoughts after the lunch lady returns to school. Both Simon and I owe you a lot.

 

Love you!         

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AC Benus

A great review, Tim.  Entices one to read the story without giving any of the plot twists away.  I'm working through Novella III now, and am being battered by so many emnotions, but it's a story you can't stop until the end--and it is well worth it!

I'm sorry, ColumbusGuy to have made you cry, but the truth is, these novellas make me cry too, even if i just 'pop in' to try and edit them. I am glad and relieved you liked the resolution to From the Depths, and I hope you will not mind following Simon into his 7th and 8th grades for the final two stories. They should please you, and restore your faith in Simon's still-growing heart. He is not quite a kid anymore, after what he did to Dustin, and he knows it.   

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AC Benus

As I already said to AC, this story is a revelation. The skill with which AC evokes emotions and thoughts and memories is astonishing. There are so many brilliant and mesmerizing authors on this site but there is no one quite like AC. He tells a story in his own unique way...he draws you in and grabs a hold on you that you don't want relinquished. I approached this story with trepidation because I thought the subject matter was something to be avoided. I am glad to say that I was so wrong. I really think that Simon and Dustin will live with me forever. There is an innocence in their characters that illuminates their story even when surrounded by vileness, evil and injustice. I will be forever grateful for being allowed to take this journey with Simon and through him, Dustin and all the other characters. The great thing for me is that after three novellas, there is still more to come. In case you haven't guessed, I highly recommend this to everyone who appreciates a story that will leave a lasting impression. Cheers...Gary

Yes Gary, I strove so hard to be evocative, and conjure up the flavor of what it was actually like to be a ten year old boy the summer that Star Wars came out. But, to that end, I also did not want to turn a blind eye that many 'bad things' that happened to kids when we were young. I hope times have changed in that regard today.

 

Thank you for all of your many and wonderful reviews for the entire series. I should begin uploading the fourth novellas of the series shortly.   

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AC Benus

And Timothy M - thank you.

 

You appeared like a ray of summer warmth when I was feeling very cold and lonely. Just as I was facing the daunting prospects of writing the fourth novella of the series, and feeling pretty hopeless that Simon would ever get any sympathetic readings, you found From the Depths. From your very first review, you gave me hope. In a phrase, you got it, and you got it so well and so entirely that you really took my breath away. With that bit of encouragement I had renewed motivation and determination to make the last two entries in the series as good as if not better that the first three. As I have said to you, that when I needed encouragement the most, you were there. And I do not believe in accidents.

 

With all of that in mind, I hope you understand how emotional and sincere I am when I write these simple words: thank you for everything.      

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AC Benus

Thank you, Renee Stevens, for shepherding this review through the process and helping Tim in so many ways. Your time and support are greatly valued and appreciated by yours truly :)

 

Also, thank you to all who have read Timothy M's review. Please be sure to let him know that he produced a fantastic review, and that he's just an awesome person in general ;)    

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Renee Stevens

Thank you, Renee Stevens, for shepherding this review through the process and helping Tim in so many ways. Your time and support are greatly valued and appreciated by yours truly :)

 

You are most welcome, AC!  I'm happy to have been able to be of whatever help I could :) and I am glad to see how well received it has been. 

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Mikiesboy

I read the first book of the Judas Tree, so far.. it left me speechless and frankly wordless. I managed to write a review. The was written by someone with exceptional talent, crafted, created, it was beyond beautiful. It touched me deeply.. 

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AC Benus

I read the first book of the Judas Tree, so far.. it left me speechless and frankly wordless. I managed to write a review. The was written by someone with exceptional talent, crafted, created, it was beyond beautiful. It touched me deeply.. 

Thank you, Tim. You offer me high praise indeed, and I know it comes from your heart.

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Timothy M.

I read the first book of the Judas Tree, so far.. it left me speechless and frankly wordless. I managed to write a review. The was written by someone with exceptional talent, crafted, created, it was beyond beautiful. It touched me deeply.. 

 

Thanks for leaving a comment here too, tim. I know you found Judas Tree by yourself, but I can see from your reviews that you agree with my opinion of the story. :D

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