"I’ve been craving a reason to dive back into Biblical lore, and this story didn’t just give me one—it executed on that promise early and often. It’s been a long time since I’ve read an omniscient narrator that wasn’t steeped in satire à la Neil Gaiman. For the Sake of Ten Men is not that. This is a godlike, even-keeled narrative presence—unbiased and deliberate. The story introduces us to Lot before all hell breaks loose, a moment of foreshadowing that’s both eerie and powerful. His relationship with his wife, his expectations after a nomadic life—all of it felt grounded, like I knew what I was getting into… until I didn’t.

What initially threw me off—but ultimately won me over—was the use of POV from nature itself. At first, the voice of the Volcano caught me off guard. But by the time the Clouds entered the story, I began to settle into this strange, omnipresent narrative device. It was bold, and I’ll admit, I couldn’t predict where the story was going—which made it all the more enjoyable.

Then came the twist: this story isn’t just a retelling. It becomes something uniquely its own. The political intrigue, the naïve pawn Idit—manipulated by the seductive power of high society—draws us deeper into a story about power, rebellion, and spiritual consequence. Idit, in particular, was a standout. Her role in this unraveling feels both tragic and all too human."

Michael M Johnson