Much has been made in recent years of the Gnostic gospels. Most of the hullabaloo has focused on disproving Christ's divinity, but many more of those lost texts make His divine power the main aspect of their narrative. This book leans heavily on those lost gospels. The plot picks up when the Holy family is about to return to Israel after fleeing to Egypt to escape Herod.

Jesus is a small boy, aware of His power, but not sure what it all means. Those around Him are even less sure. Other figures from the Bible make appearances, Elizabeth who is about to send John; not yet the Baptist, to the Essenes; the Virgin Mary, Joseph, James of the book of James, even Zebedee, the father of James and John is mentioned.

Catholic theology is also a major influence here. The author's note following the story itself is almost as fascinating as the actual novel. How a noted vampire writer moved from horror to inspirational is a story in and of itself. No one can know what happened to Jesus during the years He grew up, but perhaps some of this did.

Ms. Rice has done something few authors have, portrayed Him as being very human without sinning and a reachable divine.