Want to review or comment on this book?
Click here to login!

Need a FREE Reader Membership?
Click here for your Membership!

Reader Reviews for "Seed of the Dogwood Tree"

Reviewed by Kathryn Lively	12/19/2002
Michael Sinclair and his best friend Bruce are archaeology students with one desire - to make that one historical discovery to propel them into a stratosphere of fame, riches, and beautiful women interested in archaeologists. As Seed of the Dogwood Tree opens, both young men are hoping the time is nigh as they happen upon some ancient letters during an excavation of the mines at Mendips in England. Convinced the author is Baldwin I, King of Jerusalem during the Crusades, Michael and Bruce enlist the help of Bruce's uncle for a second, secret excavation in hope of finding something else. This second trip yields, Michael believes, an even greater treasure - the Cross of Calvary and a jar of what appears to be blood, perhaps a sampling of the very Blood Christ shed for mankind. While Bruce is ready to celebrate, Michael decides to confirm their findings with carbon dating tests at the laboratory where his sister Liz works. Though Liz and her colleagues are engrossed in genetic studies which may one day aid couples having difficulty conceiving children, they are only too happy to take on the side work. Things, as the reader might expect, do not go as planned for the young discoverers. There are no parades or tours of the talk show circuit, but instead mysterious and dangerous circumstances that lead to several deaths. Michael is soon plunged in the middle of a millennia-old conspiracy involving various secretive orders (seems nearly everybody but the Girl Scouts are participants) who all have designs on the same thing: to control the sequence of events Michael set in motion with his discovery, namely the coming of the Antichrist. Though not of a strong faith, Michael soon comes to find solace in Christ at this time, mainly through the occasional pub wisdom of a man named Gabriel. In the realm of 'end-times' novels, Seed of the Dogwood Tree works in that it offers a unique twist to the story - author Cicio offers a fascinating fictional account with the cloning and genetic angles. Oftentimes in stories such as these the Antichrist is simply born or appears as an adult from nowhere, whereas here the reader is given a beginning that harkens back somewhat to the works of Aldous Huxley. That said, Seed of the Dogwood Tree is not without its flaws, albeit minor ones. A long time gap towards the end of the book may leave the reader wanting for more closure for some of the supporting players (Gabriel, in particular) as well as with a few plot questions. Despite this, Seed of the Dogwood Tree does make for a dramatic faith thriller.
Reviewed by Michael Thal	12/18/2002
The Seed of the Dogwood Tree by Greg Cicio ISBN 1-58982-006-1 American Book Classics Greg Cicio tells an imaginative tale which incorporates ancient superstition, folklore, and biblical prophecy. Using the first person narrative, his main character, Michael Sinclair, a Ph.D. candidate in archeology, tells his story. Michael and best friend Bruce Plantard leave Edinburgh, Scotland for an expedition at the Mendips mines in Somerset, England sponsored by their university. There they uncover an ancient document written by the First Crusader Baldwin, King of Jerusalem. It¹s a diary over 1000 years old. The young men secretly take the treasure and plan a return visit with the help of Bruce¹s Uncle Edmond. This time the duo uncover the greatest acheological find of their time-the cross Christ died upon and a jar filled with His blood. Or so they believe. Cicio holds the reader¹s attention with a compelling plot. The story of Michael, his twin sister, Liz, and the conspiracies they encounter keep the pages turning. However, the author often stops telling his story and flips it into a dais for Christian dogma. Dialogue is plagued with adverbial phrases and phone conversations are one sided and confusing. The Seed of the Dogwood Tree is a work of fiction that depicts the end of times as foretold in the New Testiment. Compelling reading, if you like that sort of thing. Reviewed by Michael Thal, 12/15/02 - Three Stars
Reviewed by Su Terry on Dec 1st 2002	12/1/2002
Seed of the Dogwood Tree blends religious conspiracy theories with science fiction and ends up with one interesting and fast paced apocalyptic novel. Seed of the Dogwood Tree by Greg Cicio takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland and Somerset, England. Michael Sinclair and his roommate, Bruce Plantard, are two doctoral students on a university archaeological dig at the Mendips Mines in Somerset, England. During the dig, they discover three letters written by Baldwin I, king of Jerusalem, during the First Crusades. The letters hint that artifacts from the crucifixion of Jesus were brought back and hidden in the mines. The two students sequester the letters in their apartment and plan a secret return trip to the Mendig Mines with the financial assistance of Bruce’s Uncle Edmond Plantard and with “a nod and a wink” from the Mines’ overseer, Mr. Montpezat. Their private excavation unearths more than their wildest dreams. Upon their return to Edinburgh, Michael reveals their secret to his sister, “Liz-Me” (Elizabeth Marie) who works at the Roslyn Science Center, a state of the arts bio-tech laboratory. She volunteers to surreptitiously test samples from the artifacts through carbon dating as well as run a few other biological tests on the samples. So far so good, the students are on their way to archaeological fame and fortune, but then things begin to go wrong… horribly wrong. To reveal more would be to reveal too much. Thus begins the fast paced action and plot-counterplot intrigue of this novel. I have a few initial comments about Seed of the Dogwood Tree. The book is overstuffed. There is too much history, legends, and extra-Biblical mythology in too compact a space. I love reading this type of material, but I want to savor it in all its rich fullness. I would have liked a hearty serving of many of these historic tales, but all I got was a large sampler platter. For the amount of research that must have gone into filling in the background of this novel, I would have enjoyed a much fuller treatment of it. In light of the popularity of the “Left Behind” series, this novel could easily be expanded to double or triple its length or converted to a multi-book series. While this book does not have the professional polish or megabuck financing of the “Left Behind” series, it has more intellectual substance. The characters are more complex and “the powers and principalities” are not so obviously good or evil. Evil in order to succeed must be marketed or at least be disguised as good in order to convince the masses to buy into it. In this novel, for much of the book I was not sure who was good and who was evil, who was telling the truth and who was lying, who could be trusted and who could not be. For me, this is a truer picture of the war between good and evil than winged seraphs and horned demons. Finally, the book really needs to be re-edited. There are many minor editorial problems such as double words and wrong words. I can overlook a few, but the increases as the book goes on. The most glaring error is that “Chapter 2” has the header “Chapter 3”. As to the background material, it is researchable. The Mendip Mines do exist and you can check out the Mendip Nature Research Committee homepage. Obviously, the crusaders were real and Baldwin was the first crusader king of Jerusalem. The Holy Grail mythology and legends about Joseph of Arimathea and Mary Magdalene settling in Britain abound. Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent etal. is the most popular of the books about the secret bloodline of Jesus, but there are many others. The suspected plots and intrigues for religious and world domination by contemporary Templars and Masons are still getting press even today. (I reviewed just such a book, Death in the Air, here last year.) Cicio knows his material and this novel can be used as a sourcebook for hours of fun researching the esoteric. Greg Cicio describes himself as a “radically saved/born-again Christian.” He was born in Washington, DC and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He is “the son of a long line of entertainers” including Walt Whitman. “Greg Cicio has written and co produced the contemporary Christian music album “Desires of Kings” and has written numerous business/professional materials.” Seed of the Dogwood Tree (2002) is his first novel. Seed of the Dogwood Tree by Greg Cicio is a worthy addition to the genre of inspirational apocalyptic literature. It is clearly Christian in orientation and conversion in focus. (Expect an “altar call” sermon before the end of the book.) In conclusion, if you like the “Left Behind” series and want more, or if you like the idea behind “Left Behind” but found it to be too simplistic, Seed of the Dogwood Tree may be a good alternative. The book is a bit overstuffed, badly in need of edited, but is fast paced, has an interesting plot, realistic characters, and will keep you guessing. I would recommend this book to Christian minded folk.
Reviewed by Reviewed by Shirley Johnson - Book Reviewer	11/20/2002
As I first began to read The Seed of the Dogwood Tree, I was easily distracted, but by the time I got to Chapter four I was hooked. It is the story of Michael Sinclair and Bruce Plantard, who set out to do a student archaeology trip to the Mendip Mines of Somerset, England. What they found, the journal of the first Baldwin King of Jerusalem, started them on an adventure that would change the world. Feeling that the journal gave them clues to greater hidden treasure in Mendip, they are financed by Bruce's Uncle Edmond and a secret expedition is undertaken. Uncle Edmond also gives them some new documents and with those and the journal in hand they discover a secret chamber and what it contained was almost unbelievable. The excitement rose in the young men! Could they truly have discovered the cross that Jesus was nailed to? And what was in the jars that they had found? Could it be the blood of the Savior? I wanted to know. Trust me, this story is not easily figured out. Secret societies are discovered, murders uncovered,and the birth of a child conceived with whose seed? You'll hold your breath waiting to find out as all leads to a climax that you will not soon forget. Is it the story of the beginning, or the story of the end? This is the thought that you will ponder after reading this excellent novel by Greg Cicio. A very good read!
Reviewed by Guy Yasika	9/4/2002
If you are looking for a book to read this summer I highly recommend The Seed of the Dogwood Tree. Greg Cicio has the unique talent to blend the sciences of today with the lore of yesterday into a very entertaining story. The characters are real, modern and believable. I was easily able to put myself into the lead character's position and identify with him.
Reviewed by Virginia Tadrzynski	9/4/2002
Greg Cicio masterfully weaves theology, science, history and historical prophecy into a spell binding portrayal of the end of time as we know it. Once you pick up this book, it is impossible to put down as we each know and can relate to at least one character in the story. The book is a work of fiction, but it has the twist in that each and every element has a certain ring of truth. When you finally finish the book, you take a deep breath and say 'wow' is THIS really how it all ends. Very believable and enjoyable story. Follow this author.....if this is just the beginning of his writing career he has a long and glorious future ahead of him.
Reviewed by Mary Davidson	9/4/2002
Seed of the Dogwood Tree" is a compelling tale that challenges the imagination and stimulates the thought process. You'll remember this book long after you've finished reading it."