The Skin Map

The Skin Map

By Stephen Lawhead
Published by Thomas Nelson

The Skin Map is the first book I have read by Stephen Lawhead.  I am a fan of author Ted Dekker and I expected The Skin Map to be similar to books by Dekker or Randy Alcorn, but I was disappointed.

The story consists of a young man, Kit Livingstone, being visited unexpectedly by his great-grandfather, Cosimo Livingstone. Cosimo then engages Kit, though somewhat unwillingly, in a sort if time travel by means of what Lawhead calls “leys”.  These leys are “pathways” said to be scattered throughout the earth and allow “travelers” to physically leap between realms.

The storyline, though somewhat interesting, is a bit too “New Age” for this Bible believing Christian (me). There are a few references to God, including page 285 where the evil-portrayed character Burleigh states “There is no God” and Cosimo responds with “You are wrong, … Utterly, fatally, and eternally wrong.” However, moreover the idea of God is referenced vaguely such as providence. Being promoted by a publisher of primarily Christian material, I expected this book to at the least briefly point to the basics of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (which is central to Christianity). Merely a sentence it two would suffice. However it does not.

From a purely literary standpoint, the storyline starts out a little slow, including unnecessary detail, but ends a bit too abruptly. The twist at the end jumps the reader to a place where too many questions are unanswered.  Even though this is the first of a series, another chapter or so to explain how some of the characters get from one place to another would help tremendously. It left me wondering what happened in between and a little disappointed.

I received this book as a free eBook from the publisher for review. As to whether I will reading the continuation of this series, I will probably do so only if again can do so free.  I would more than likely not spend money on this series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

See a preview of this book here.