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Counterintuitive and Countercultural
New Star follows a Persian Magus as he risks everything to uncover the truth behind a mysterious celestial sign, blending biblical intrigue, spiritual longing, and historical peril in a richly imagined post-Nativity world. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Most of what we think we know about the Wise Men is tradition, not truth. Even when we read about them in the Gospel of Matthew, we skim over the verses because we think we already know their story. Those 2D, stained-glass figures deserve to be seen as 3D real people. Their story is compelling, and I wanted to convey it in a way that aligned with Scripture, culture, and world events of that time.
What inspired you to reimagine the story of the Magi, especially from such an emotionally intimate perspective?
The Parthian Empire tolerated many religions but had a national religion that the Magi society upheld and practiced. What would happen to the religious fabric of the empire if some Magi started to believe and practice something else? I feel that’s what happened to the Magi in real life. They went way out on a limb to believe something that was counterintuitive and countercultural. They risked their reputations, their careers, and more to pursue finding the prophesied Christ child. They had to weigh the risk and cost of their newfound belief.
How did you balance historical accuracy with creative storytelling when reconstructing the world of ancient Persia and Judea?
First and foremost, I remain true to the biblical narrative. That’s my north star for writing biblical fiction. Scriptures tell us what the Magi did, but not the reasons for their choices. To discern the “why” behind their story, I dug into historical records of that time to learn about the world they lived in. When Christ was born, the Roman and Parthian empires were the world’s biggest superpowers. They were often at odds with each other, and they ruled in dramatically different ways. Against that backdrop is the rich history of Magi society, an elite group of Persian priest-scholars that massively influenced the Parthian Empire’s religion, science, and government. The Magi served multiple religions while upholding their empire’s official religion. Understanding the world in which the Magi lived enabled me to write authentic scenes with believable reactions to the pressures they would have faced in pursuing a controversial study of a star linked to some foreign religious writings.
Akilah’s inner journey is so compelling—was his character influenced by any real historical figures or personal experiences?
Thank you for that high compliment. Akilah is not based on a specific person, but I think he universally reflects people’s experience when they question what they previously thought was true. New Star provides a safe space in which to do that.
New Star is the first book in the series The Magi’s Encounters. We know the Magi’s story didn’t end when they tried to circumvent Herod. Survival Secrets, which will release Sept. 24 of this year, is all about the Magi’s struggles to return home.
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When he and his colleagues uncover a few Jewish prophecies linking the star to an eternal king, Akilah becomes the target of Persia’s religious and governmental conflicts. Jailed for crimes he didn’t commit, Akilah must rely on questionable resources to free himself and reach Jerusalem.
Persia’s purists aren’t the only ones bent on keeping their country free of Jewish influences. As dangers at home and abroad plunge Akilah and his colleagues into three countries’ religious conflicts and circumstances beyond their imagining, Akilah realizes his knowledge of Jesus could potentially destroy Magi society and its power over Persia’s official religion and government. Untrusting of his Council, a thousand miles from aid, and bound in a potentially career-ending contract, Akilah must decide how far he will go to protect what he knows of Jesus—and whether the cost of his belief is worth the risk.
New Star
Lana Christian’s New Star is a deeply immersive and imaginatively told journey into the world of the Magi, the ancient priest-scholars of Persia. Set one year after the birth of Jesus, the story follows Akilah and his fellow Magi as they risk careers, reputations, and lives to investigate a mysterious star that could fulfill ancient Hebrew prophecies. Intertwining historical intrigue, political tension, and spiritual longing, the novel reimagines what led the Wise Men to embark on their fabled journey to Bethlehem. With richly detailed settings and layered characters, Christian blends biblical history and scholarly imagination into a fast-paced, thought-provoking narrative.
Reading New Star felt like stepping into a world I thought I already understood, only to discover how much more there was beneath the surface. I was surprised by how invested I became in Akilah’s pursuit. Not just of the star, but of meaning, legacy, and truth. The writing is clean and poetic without trying too hard, and the dialogue feels genuine. What stood out most to me was how Christian managed to make the inner world of ancient scholars, research, prayer, doubt, and conviction so emotionally engaging. The religious themes unfold naturally through the characters’ inner struggles and choices, making the journey feel as much spiritual as it is historical.
What I liked most was the courage these characters showed in a time when even asking questions could cost everything. The book is full of quiet moments that land like thunderclaps. There’s beauty in the smallest scenes. An old scroll, a firelit conversation, a whispered prayer. The novel doesn’t rely on action to drive tension, though there are plenty of intense scenes. It’s the emotional stakes that carry the weight. The book made me reflect on the cost of conviction and the bravery it takes to search for something bigger than yourself when the world says “stop.” Christian doesn’t shy away from that tension, and I admire that.
New Star is for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with heart and depth. It’s especially for readers who’ve ever wondered what really drove the Magi to leave everything behind. I’d recommend it to lovers of biblical fiction, of course, but also to skeptics and history buffs, anyone open to a story about risk, faith, and finding light in the dark.
Pages: 376 | ASIN: B0D9T1PW9W
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