Review of Salem's Gate

[Catherine Sweet]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Salem's Gate" by Donald David Sims.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Salem's Gate by Donald David Sims is a long narrative poem set in the eleventh century. His previous book, Poems to Peruse, was published in 2012. Sims was a church pastor but is now a writer and does secular work.

Salem's Gate is a tale of action and medieval adventure. Two kings, Krislos and Akaan, are at war, fighting to reign over the kingdom. The poem starts when King Akaan and his troops invade Salem. John rescues a young woman, Rebekah, who is being held captive. John is loyal to King Krislos and helps him plan to fight back against King Akaan. Fighting takes place with swords, bows and arrows and fighters on horseback. Betrayals, conflict and violence are the byproducts of war. The Shroud of Turin is interweaved with the story, and religious beliefs are ever-present. Loyalty, friendship and love are the backdrop to the story.
Salem's Gate is a poem with four-line stanzas that uses various rhyming schemes. The rhythms created make it enjoyable to read, and the reader quickly becomes immersed. I enjoyed reading the Old English language used; it evoked another time and made the experience more authentic. This example of one of the stanzas is when Rebekah visits King Krislos's dead body and "Wordless echoes against the walls of stone / Punish the grieved heart dilated alone / Sentiment of the heartless rock intoned/ Eliciting the tear, the sob, the moan."
I found John to be the most memorable character. Rebekah was interesting but her character could have had more depth. This book has so many named characters, some of whom only make fleeting appearances. It can be confusing, and I think fewer named peripheral characters would have worked better.
Salem's Gate would appeal to readers who like narrative poems and are interested in medieval times. I enjoyed the story and the language used and found the editing flawless. I have taken one mark off for the abundance of characters and award this book 4 out of 5 stars.

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Salem's Gate
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[Louis Donald]

The mix of medieval adventure, loyalty, and betrayal sounds compelling, and the Old English language adds an authentic touch. While the abundance of characters might be a bit much, the storyline and character of John definitely draw me in. I’d be interested in reading it to explore more of the narrative and its poetic style.

[Pearl Flourish]

Salem’s Gate by Donald David Sims is a captivating narrative poem set in the eleventh century, weaving a tale of medieval warfare, loyalty, and faith. The use of Old English language enhances its authenticity, though the multitude of characters can be a bit overwhelming. Overall, it’s an engaging read for fans of historical poetry.