Every Knee Shall Bow

Written by Bryan Litfin

Narrated by Michael Braun

The year is AD 316.
Imperial persecution has officially ended.

For the first time in history, the Roman emperor supports the church. But the fledgling faith’s future still hangs in the balance.

Flavia, a Roman senator’s daughter, is sent from her convent by Bishop Sylvester to seek Emperor Constantine’s permission to determine the canon of scripture and build great churches where pagan temples once stood. But God’s enemies are
on the move, and the path to the bishop’s goals is fraught with peril.

Flavia’s beloved protector, Germanic barbarian Brandulf Rex, has fought his way out of exile. He and Flavia will cross the empire by land and sea on this epic quest to free the Roman people from the tyranny of the ancient gods.

Will the early Christians receive the Word of God? Will beautiful churches rise in Rome where pagan temples once stood? Or will the world’s greatest empire keep refusing to bow the knee to its true and rightful Lord?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9781705039427

Reviews for Every Knee Shall Bow

[michellesutton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Overall, this story was very good. Historical fiction is my favorite genre. That said, I found this story to be fairly realistic in it's description of things. It reminded me a bit of Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series minus the gladiators. Of course it had that special voice that is unique to Bryan Litfin. If you read any of his Chiveis trilogy books you'll know what I mean. I can still picture one of the heroes gouging out someone's eyes while underwater. Just sayin'... it was that descriptive in a previous that I can still see the scene in my mind's eye. Most of the books that I've read are no longer in my mind. But Bryan's writing is still there.This novel was set in the earliest days of the church (300s AD) as it established itself in Rome. I found the mysticism interesting, especially the baptism ritual. Good thing for us it changed over time or we would have much fewer baptisms these days. Also, unlike many novels in Christian fiction, this was more realistic in regards to human struggles and sin. I found that especially intriguing and it showed how there are ripple effects to every decision we make.There were battle scenes in this book written to show the power struggle between the two Caesars. Of course, I was rooting for Constantine despite knowing the ins and outs of his policies. I finished this story and found myself talking about it with others. That's the sign of a good book, to me anyway. Plus, I enjoyed learning a bit more about how the early church kept things moving forward (and protected from destruction) and how they guarded the early writings of the apostles that later became the New Testament. If you love fiction from that era, you will enjoy this book.

[grammy57 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I requested to read and review this book through Netgalley.com. This review is my honest opinion.This book was not what I was expecting. I do not like to leave negative reviews but my honest opinion was this is not the book for me. The book was hard to get started and then it was hard to keep going. I have to admit to skim reading in parts.Another thing that bothered me was his use of the term Holy for people was bothersome, only God is Holy, we are called to be holy as He is. The book overall was a long read and too jumpy for me, jumping from one place to another, one speaker/character to another. It did not flow well for me. It seemed that a lot could have been cut and the book would have been more enjoyable to me.I give this book a 2-star rating.

[charlesboyd · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the second book of this series that I've read. I mostly liked the first one though I did have some reservations as noted in my review of that one. This one has some of the same problems as the first, i.e. highly improbable things happening. Also the romance between Rex and Flavia taking some weird turns. Like the first novel, it does give a good view of the early days of Christianity in the Roman Empire. I assume it is accurate because the author has a Ph.D. in religious studies. A third novel is forthcoming which I will not read. This review is for "early reviewers."

[koalamom_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Before I could read this book, I had to read the first one - The Conqueror - which brought our protagonists Rex and Flavia along an interesting journey. This story picked up where that one left off with our heroes being separated and experiencing some very interesting and sometime dangerous journeys. Once they reunite, their adventures only continue but their relationship never falters. Can't wait to see where they go next.

[croknot1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very enjoyable read. Great for fans of historical fiction. I will be on the lookout for the 1st book in the series, and will continue on with the next. I received this book through LT for my honest review.

[julie2013-544404 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Rome AD 316-318. Book two in the Constantine's Empire series picks up 3 years after the ending of The Conqueror. Rex is in exile for treason – sentenced for life to row for a warship in Constantine's navy. Flavia and her mother Sophronia are in Sicilia, living as nuns, when they are commissioned for a sensitive mission for the Bishop of Rome. Constantine is in Gaul, when he co-Augustus and brother-in-law, Licinius (stationed in Sirmium), decides to make a power play that incites a war. An Aegyptian faction of the Christian church, a group of Gnostics, seek to stop the mission Flavia has been sent on,cripple the Roman church, and make Alexandria the capital of the Christian faith, making their doctrine the preeminent belief system.The canon of scripture is being hotly debated. Why will some letters be included while others are not? Does sin have consequences? Should priests be able to marry? What is a spiritual marriage? Where is St. Peter buried? Will Rex and Flavia ever find one another again? Will Rex's father survive being literally stabbed in the back? Can Rex restore his good name with Constantine? From a mutiny on a warship to a palace intrigue at the church in Rome. From the brothels of Corinthus to the jail cells in Thessalonica. Church history comes to vivid life as author Bryan Litfin takes us on a journey through the Roman Empire.Adventure, intrigue, alliances and subterfuge fill the pages of this novel. The action never stops. The characters are multi-dimensional, flawed beings who struggle to balance life and faith, duty and desire. I couldn't put this book down and can't wait for the conclusion in Book 3.

[janerawoof · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Further exciting adventures of Flavia and Rex. She accompanies Bishop Ossius of Hispana as part of an entourage on a mission to Constantine. Constantine's approval is sought for the building of churches and an official copy of the scriptures. [I would assume that it was not the final canonic version, which I thought came at the end of the 4th century as a decision of one of the church councils.] Rex leads a mutiny aboard ship and somehow Flavia and Rex meet up. Through trials and tribulations they save each other and care for each other. Will Constantine give his approval? I liked how the author's explanations of N.T. passages were worked into the story and his thoughts on how the early church might have functioned. The romance aspect could have been abbreviated, especially so many of the couple's thoughts.Highly recommended.