Aletheia: In the Shadows
Luigi A. Kohli
Troubador Publishing (2025)
ISBN: 978-1836282440
Reviewed by Kathy Stickles for Reader Views (09/01/2025)
Aletheia, Vol 1: In the Shadows is an excellent and well-written historical novel that begins the story of what comes after the events depicted in Ben-Hur (perhaps one of the greatest novels ever written). It is a powerful story that combines plenty of history, excitement, politics, and just the right amount of emotion to keep any reader mesmerized.
Set in Imperial Rome, Aletheia: In the Shadows tells the possible story of the fate of Pontius Pilate while also intertwining a tale of politics, treachery, and secrets. While the book contains numerous historical figures, it is a story basically wrapped around two brothers – Cassius, who is living a life focused on revenge, and Justus, who is living a life of what he hopes will be insignificance. As one chooses to go after his enemies, the other wants only to fade into the shadows. Unfortunately for both, they are about to be drawn into a battle that neither wants to be a part of, thanks to so many others. Working with a close friend of their father, Caeso, who is a haruspex, and Hector, a hero of the Tenth Legion who has long been overlooked, the group searches for the truth. This is a secret that could possibly start a war and one that will definitely change history.
Luigi A. Kohli has put his heart into this amazing debut novel for the series A Ben-Hur Saga. The writing is vivid, and you will feel yourself deep in the middle of each situation or location depicted on the pages. This is one that, while I had a bit of trouble getting into the story at the beginning, quickly developed into a tale that is part thriller novel but one that, at its core, is without doubt an epic novel. The large cast of characters is all very interesting and extremely well-developed. Choosing the good from the bad is not always an easy task, but each person pulls you in further as you watch them struggle to survive and figure out what is right or wrong. I especially enjoyed watching a female character begin her rise to power, something very unexpected and fascinating given the period covered in the novel.
As anyone who has seen other reviews of mine knows, I am a huge fan of historical fiction and enjoy any author who can take people from history and bring them to life on the pages as animated and stimulating. Luigi Kohli has done this in a huge way with this book. He was able to take the past and turn it into a story that was both engaging and meaningful, and I was quite impressed. These characters are quite complex. However, the author has also made them “human,” if you will, and multifaceted for the reader.
Aletheia, Vol 1: In the Shadows is an excellent example of historical fiction at its best, and I would recommend it to any fan of the genre. Luigi A. Kohli has made these historical figures real to us, and the entire story is an amazing journey to follow. I am very interested in seeing Volume 2 of A Ben-Hur Saga. I can’t wait. 5 Stars!
What an excellent and succinct review. I would like to have said all of these things after I first read this book, but couldn’t find such an eloquent way of putting my thoughts down on paper. Suffice to say, this is the review I would have written.