Title: The Legend of Balthazar
Author: Dick Morgan
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 979-8823017022
Pages: 335
Genre: Teen & Young Adult
Reviewer: Alyssa Avina

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There’s the age old question of what would come of our lives had there been one minor but significant change in our past? Would it alter our timeline completely and change the world as we know it today? It is not often we get to explore a question such as this when it comes to biblical terms but in The Legend of Balthazar by author Dick Morgan, that is a main plot point we get to explore in this exciting and intriguing young adult novel.

Once the Archangels Michael and Gabriel discover that Christmas is disappearing as time goes on, they must examine why that is and how it came to be. They then turn to the Book of Fate for any clues and what they find shocks them to their core. Once they discover that the third wise man, Balthazar, never arrived in Bethlehem, they realize that one fact changed the course of history as they once knew it. Gabriel then decides to go back in time to find him and find out why he never arrived. But God has one suggestion for him: take a young choirboy named Davey Hart with him. And with that, they are off on an adventure neither of them were truly prepared for.

The reason God wants Davey to accompany him on this journey is all because of an impulsive wish Davey made at his bedside on Christmas Eve, 1970. He wished he could talk to the wise man, Balthazar, the warrior king, so he could defend himself from bullies like Danny, his brother. He felt there was no way Balthazar ever got pushed around, so he wished he could learn from him. And that’s precisely when Gabriel showed up, willing to help and bring him on his journey while simultaneously teaching him fighting is not always the answer.

At first, Davey is petrified and doesn’t know what to make of what is happening. But soon, they begin Gabriel’s mission to find Balthazar and find out what happened in the past that caused him not to make it to Bethlehem. And along the way, Davey learns many valuable and important lessons that he had not expected to learn yet is grateful to have the opportunity to.

Truthfully, this is a wonderful take on a classic Biblical and Christmas tale, with an element of fantasy woven into it with the time travel aspect that I think many young adult readers will immediately gravitate towards. It’s also a wonderfully written story and a perfect way to teach those not as well-versed in the stories about the three wise men, archangels, and how Christmas first began. It is definitely a page-turner and will have you wanting to find out the mystery of where Balthazar was that fateful day just as much as Gabriel and Davey want to. Make sure to pick up your copy of The Legend of Balthazar by Dick Morgan today!