Ecclesia’s Table

Ecclesia’s Table

Wandering for more than 1000 days these three young people hope to find a home in this land. But first we meet the Leader, his team and learn about how he wants his government and country run. Getting to know the Leader, his team and who made the rules years ago will lead the people that are now in this new land to either want to leave, fight for a spot available since only 1000 people can live within this land and there are only 70 spots that need to be filled. How do you become apart of this society? What are the trials and tests you must endure? Meet Katia, Reenu , and Moshe. Meeting the Leader and the others that are now hoping to gain a spot each one befriended some of the others, while Moshe read as the Leader instructed, The Manuel twice a day to learn their rules, what is expected and prepare for their Trials. The entire novel focuses primarily on these three young people and how each one must deal with his/her way of deciding whether this place is the right one for them. The Inner and Outer Sanctums each have their own rules and before anyone can go beyond the wall there are many trials, the Last Call and then hopefully you will be one of the 70 to fill the spots to remain in this land. But, as you learn more about the strict rules, guidelines and what is necessary you wonder why anyone would really want to remain there. What would the benefits be other than having somewhere to sleep, two meals a day but what about jobs and why do they need a Manuel to explain the rules and what needs to be understood each day. Friendships and talking to others are encouraged but there is always someone watching your every move.

Throughout the novel Moshe, Reenu and Amaru learn many lessons in life including the truth behind where they are now living. Rules were not allowed to be broken and questions were not always appreciated by the Leader, Dumas who oversaw them and any other official that they dared to cross. All of them just wanted to live in peace and harmony but Ecclesia was not that place as each time they veered from what they were told to do, dared to speak out and were considered criminals they found themselves placed in cells, punished and brought to the attention of those in charge. The final fate of so many was at the mercy of those in charge. Moshe was allowed in the Inner Sanctum  but left and the author shares the voices of Amaru, Reemu and the others so that we learn days after The Last Call they learned about Morse and the burden he married since the first learned about Mahu’s disappearance Moshe tried to kill himself to get the attention of everyone. Throughout the story that make friends with Abigail, AMbree and many others and the Lieutenant must decide their fate as the final scenes are terrifying and what they have planned for them and Aran and others is horrific. In a land where they sought freedom, hope and security they learned the truth behind Ecclesia and the people running it. They did not want everyone to remain there and those that defied them were confined, chained and eliminated. When the guards came for them and then when they tried to fight back the result was tragic for some. Zacchaeus is in charge and warned by someone that the leader expects him to carry out his wishes, but he refuses to risk the lives of his men especially having to subdue 7 wolves which stood for the 7 prisoners. A story that teaches many lessons in life as survival, hope, loneliness, acceptance and most of all understanding the differences in people and that each one is unique and special but not in Ecclesia. You followed their rules, their regiment and even though it was supposed to be a paradise and the Table special what happens at the end will shock readers and let you know that sometimes good must prevail over that others think is right. All three friends stood up to the authority figures at one time and each one at the end was taken prisoner and the result was horrific. Zacchaues saw the horror spread on the faces of the emaciated prisoners and what could he do. Shedim shred Duman’s face and the crowd would they stand up for what happened and whose side were they on. It is not the assigned protect but each o the Kohen followed their orders and stepped away from the prisoners but in the end what happens more than just carnage. Renee and Aram put their hands together and try hard to stop what is about toe happen. But in the end no one really succeeds. In Moshe’s words How is this justice? How can you people read the manual and watch this suffering with the same gleeful eyes? This was more than  a rude awakening to all of them. The final chapters will decide the fate of everyone including Ecclesia and the result after you hear the words of Moshe will help you realize that values are special, Ecclesia is clearly a system made from love and peace but to keep the peace why do they have to betray their values? He then goes on page 329 to describe the purpose of the tale , his corners and when became a citizen of Inner sanctum but I am. IF you give yourself away to a friend and enemy alike but you are in but look where they wound up. Added in 7 wolves were to have them for their dinner and the ending will shock you as to who lives, who survives and the fate of Ecclesia. When the dust settles and those that survive are in another place you the reader decide if what they have established is any better than what they left.

Characters that are diversified, have strong moral values and have strong personalities and will not give up even when all seems lost. Author Mason S. Haynie gives readers much pause for thought: How far would you go to get a seat at this Table? How much would you sacrifice to fit in? Ecclesia’s Table: Take a seat or not?

Fran Lewis: Just reviews