The Skin Map by Stephen Lawhead

Book Description

Kit Livingstone’s great-grandfather appears to him in a deserted alley during a tumultuous storm. He reveals an unbelievable story: that the ley lines throughout Britain are not merely the stuff of legend or the weekend hobby of deluded cranks, but pathways to other worlds. 

One explorer knew more than most. Ever on his guard and fearful of becoming lost in the cosmos, he developed an intricate code—a roadmap of symbols—that he tattooed onto his own body. Now the race is on to recover all the pieces and discover its secrets. But the Skin Map itself is not the ultimate goal. It is merely the beginning of a vast and marvelous quest for a prize beyond imagining.

Review

The Skin Map by Stephen Lawhead is a breathtaking portal fantasy adventure. The fast-moving plot delivers quantum physics, ancient maps, historical places, and a rich tapestry of characters.

Kit Livingstone is not living his best life in modern London when his long-lost great grandfather shows up spouting a tale too bizarre to be believed.

Lawhead’s writing is evocative and thought-provoking. In The Skin Map, he seamlessly blends historical periods with contemporary settings. His vivid descriptions had my imagination firing, and I enjoyed the immersive reading experience.

It’s All About the People

What really shined for me were Lawhead’s characters. Each was well-developed and relatable, with their own motivations and secrets. The combination of this, along with realistic dialogue, created authentic emotional experiences. Lawhead’s characters feel like individuals we can understand, empathize with, and root for.

The Skin Map is the first novel of the epic 5-book Bright Empires series. I’ve binged the books, completely caught up in the sweeping tale along with Lawhead’s huge cast. Each book in the series delivers a thrilling adventure that will keep you flipping pages. The unique genre mashup makes The Skin Map (and the rest of the Bright Empire series) a must-read. The series is perfect for fans of historical fiction, portal fantasy, and multiverse science fiction.

Content Warning

Captivity, Explicit Language (mild to strong), Mythological Themes, Religious Themes, Spiritual Themes, Violence

The header photo is a composite image. Base image photo by Simon Berger on Unsplash