White Harvest Media's Editorial Review
John Lovell and Harrison Kone teamed up to write The Lions of Mercer. A military thriller exploring the truth of a dark world, where politics and optics are more important than protecting the innocent. When the CIA tells him to abandon the daughter of his Afghani interpreter Micah Mercer decides Rangers do not leave children behind.
What The Lions of Mercer does particularly well.
Realism.
Micah is not a saint, not even close. No spoilers, but suffice it to say, John Lovell has an author letter at the beginning of his book explaining why he published this book himself and why it is not marketed as Christian fiction.
There is military culture, brotherhood, violence and human brokenness in stark detail.
Sacrifice
The decisions that Mercer and his team makes ultimately cost them good standing with Federal agencies. A forced resignation, the real danger of losing precious NGO status, even death. They cannot save everyone, despite trying.
Endurance
Despite the grief, Mercer and his men do not quit until the job is done.
Morally grey Characters
Perhaps the most interesting character in the whole story is not Mercer. It is the Australian mercenary. A man obviously on the wrong side of the fight, yet compelling precisely because of that. There again no spoilers, but the authors did a fantastic job of capturing the outlook of a man who would be capable of great good if his moral compass were not so skewed.
My quibbles
I gave The Lions of Mercer four stars.
There were times in the narrative I felt that military culture was over explained, or gear was listed more like an advertisement rather than naturally flowing from the story. I felt that Micah’s redemption arc was a bit rushed, especially where his relationship with his wife was concerned. Lastly, I found the leniency of the final oversight decision to be more “happy ending” than perhaps would be realistic.
That being said. I genuinely enjoyed the book, because it was a good story, with the highest of stakes and it kept me keyed in until the last page.
Why White Harvest chose to feature this one
Men need good fiction, they especially need good fiction in an arena where there is a gap.
Christian fiction should ultimately serve the purpose of drawing readers back to the truth of the Creator and the principles of his Word. This story, told from a Christian perspective, put me in mind of King David. He was far from perfect, he sinned grievously, after he allowed the world to soften him. Yet God described him as a man after His own heart.
As a warrior, David committed extreme acts of violence. As man he controlled his capability with extraordinary acts of restraint. He suffered immensely with intense emotion, fury, sorrow, love, lust. Yet so many psalms begin in darkness and end with God’s light.
Micah Mercer is not King David, but he is a man seeking to do righteousness with the portion he has been given. This is why I chose the book. Men need heroes still, fictional though they may be. Lovell and Kone gave us one.
The Lions of Mercer
The CIA told him to follow orders. But Rangers don't abandon children.
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