Temple of a Thousand Faces

by John Shors

In his international bestseller Beneath a Marble Sky, John Shors wrote about the ancient passion, beauty, and brilliance that inspired the Taj Mahal. Now with Temple of a Thousand Faces, he brings to life the legendary temple of Angkor Wat, an unrivaled marvel of ornately carved towers and stone statues. There, in a story set nearly a thousand years ago, an empire is lost, a royal love is tested, and heroism is reborn.

When his land is taken by force, Prince Jayavar of the Khmer people narrowly escapes death at the hands of the conquering Cham king. Exiled from their homeland, he and his mystical wife Ajadevi set up a secret camp in the jungle with the intention of amassing an army bold enough to reclaim their kingdom and free their people. Meanwhile, Cham King Indravarman rules with an iron fist, pitting even his most trusted men against each other and squashing any hint of rebellion.

Moving from a poor fisherman's family whose sons find the courage to take up arms against their oppressors, to a beautiful bride who becomes a prize of war, to an ambitious warrior whose allegiance is torn--Temple of a Thousand Faces is an unforgettable saga of love, betrayal, and survival at any cost.

READERS GUIDE INCLUDED

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Asia, Historical, Book Club, Novels, Adult

544 pages, Paperback

First published February 5, 2013

About the author

Hi, everyone. I hope this message finds people well.

I'm the bestselling author of The Demon Seekers trilogy, My Midnight Sun, Unbound, Beneath a Marble Sky, Temple of a Thousand Faces, Cross Currents, Beside a Burning Sea, Dragon House, and The Wishing Trees. My novels have won multiple awards and have been translated into twenty six languages. I have also spoken (via speakerphone) with more than 3,000 book clubs around the world.

For more information on my work, please visit www.johnshors.com or friend me on Facebook or Instagram.

Thank you for your support!

- John

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I'm the author!

But here are some independent reviews of my new novel, Temple of a Thousand Faces:

"An epic, extraordinary novel about love, beauty, and war, Temple of a Thousand Faces is sure to please." - Sandra Gulland, bestselling author of Mistress of the Sun

"Written in Shors' enjoyable style ... this novel is destined to be a blockbuster. Highly recommended." - Historical Novels Review

"A gripping love story with a mystical quality that is utterly beguiling. John Shors vividly recreates the world of 12th century Angkor Wat with his breathtaking descriptions, and packs it with a powerful tale of danger and revenge that had me hooked. I was there. I lived it. Riding a war elephant or gliding naked through a pool of waterlilies. Full of fascinating characters and impressive storytelling." - Kate Furnivall, bestselling author of The Russian Concubine

"A wonderfully complex epic novel of love and lust, mystery and war ... played out against the kind of exotic background that makes Shors' grand books best sellers. Temple of a Thousand Faces, with its lush sun-lit hillsides filled with blue butterflies and exotic ruins, is just right for a cold winter's read." - The Denver Post

"I can best describe this book as no less than an epic masterpiece." - Peeking Between the Pages

"Shors infuses the story with fascinating information about the ancient temple of Angkor Wat and Buddhist and Hindu cultures." - Kirkus Reviews

"Refreshingly, strong Khmer women carry the novel forward; offering a welcome change of perspective on the epic tradition. It's said that there are only two stories in the world--a man goes on a journey and a stranger comes to town; here, Shors gives us both." - Publishers Weekly

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 12th century Cambodia, John Shors unfolds the tale of the capture of Angkor Wat and the battle between the Cham and Khmer people. I cannot believe I have waited so long to haul this book off my bookshelf because it was a compelling historical fiction that I fell in love with instantly. I have not read any books about Cambodia and I don't think I have been so captured by a novel since reading Beneath a Marble Sky which just happens to have been Shors debut novel. Just an absolutely gorgeous novel!

[Emiliya Bozhilova · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ако беше филм - сниман в Ангкор Ват и околностите, с щедър бюджет за ефекти, масовки и костюми, с печен режисьор и няколко симпатични лица сред основните актьори, заедно с качествен злодей - щеше да е приятен за окото хит.

12-ти век. Един миролюбив и застаряващ крал губи кралството си и едва се спасява в джунглата. Един параноичен, умен и амбициозен крал слага ръка на Ангкор Ват. Една булка губи семейството си в деня на сватбата си, за да се озове като наложница при един от враговете си, който не е съвсем това, за което го мисли. А едно семейство рибари преживява много приключения.

Схемата е изпитана и не е подбрана зле. Допринася и екзотиката на мястото и времето. Но е реализирана на минимално ниво, поради което голяма част от обема на тези не чак толкова много страници стои като излишен пълнеж с досадни до втръсване повторения. Между основните гледни точки няма особена връзка. Те не са и особено добре подплатени с психологизъм и детайли от епохата и мястото - последните изглеждат взети от сайта на някоя туристическа програма, и то от кратката версия. Китайците не са се казвали точно така в онези времена, нито виетнамците. Сиамци, чами и кхмери обаче са посочени що-годе точно. Буда, Конфуций и Вишну са споменати само като имена. Който ги е чувал, чувал. Който не е - няма и да ги чуе повече, затова по-добре да продължи направо с екшъна.

Част от събитията са упоменати мимоходом и - бум! - резултат! Например как високопоставен, амбициозен и доста предпазлив офицер ей тъй, отведнъж, решава да офейка, и го обхващат едни милостиви пориви от нищото, без да се спомене нещо за кариера, съратници, приятели, каквито със сигурност има. Или кралят (добрият), както си тича из джунглите, изведнъж се сдобива с чужди наемници - ама откъде злато, откъде време за преговори, ама къде, ама как - не е описано. И този същият в един момент му викат “старче”, в следващия се бие все едно ще ходи във Валхала… Никаква връзка с кораба-майка.

Все пак като за неангажиращ екшън с малко екзотично-туристически привкус и нотки сантиментален мелодраматизъм, става. Но очакващите да научат нещо съществено за Ангкор Ват или региона през 12-ти век е по-добре да се обърнат към Уикипедия.

П. П. Не съм убедена, че преводът е особено удачен на моменти. “Осмократен” път - кратно на какво? За осемстепенен съм чувала, но това с “-кратен” е иновативно. Също “ехо камера” не звучи да добре за помещение/стая/зала с ехо в храм.

⭐️2,5 звезди⭐️

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Temple of a Thousand Faces wasn't bad, it just wasn't for me. I'm sure it was quite realistic about the fates of a conquered people in Cambodia in the 12th Century. Based on the title, that's not the story I was expecting. I somehow thought it was going to be about something besides conquering, pillaging, raping and slaughtering. It was really much darker and more desperate than I like, as the story was told from the perspectives of several different people who were affected by the pillaging, raping and slaughtering. Oh, don't forget torture. That was in there, too.

The POV characters range from the Khmer prince and one of his wives to a lowly fisherman and his family, one of whom is almost blind as well as smart and brave, and possibly my favorite character. The battle scene where he fights off attackers he can't see with a spear as his mother yells directions to him...! Also included is one of the officers of the Chams (the invaders) who is a decent fellow, increasingly sickened by his king's actions. Finally, there is a young woman who is enslaved by the Chams at her wedding - what an awful fate.

I liked all of these characters, and feared for them. That's why I kept reading in spite of the violence, which I actually found boring. (Blah blah, slaughter 500 hundred men to teach a lesson, blah blah blah.) I needed to know that they ended up well, an outcome that was not guaranteed. Unless you know this part of history, which I didn't.

The conquering king was one of those vile characters without a shred of goodness to him. His assassin was another. If it hadn't ended how it did for those two, this review would have a 1 star rating. But the ending was at least vindicating, and thankfully (for me) it was a happy ending for most of the characters involved.

[Jill Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to get an early read of this novel (I review books from time to time). Temple of a Thousand Faces is everything I love in an epic work of historical fiction--ambitious, complex, unique, powerful, and unfogettable. I simply loved this novel.

[Skip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timing in life is everything. Read this one on my way to visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia, which is the site for this historical novel, which is set in the late 12th century when the temple is overrun by the warring Chams, and the local Khmer prince has to go into hiding with his lover as his entire family is slaughtered. Besides having to rally his people, now King Jaymar has to align himself with the Siams, and befriend a Cham military leader who falls in love with a Khmer. Excellent characters, showing courage and devotion, make this a great book. 4.5 stars. I was especially impressed to read in the afterword that author John Shors donates a portion of his profits to a local hospital for children in Cambodia. Very classy.

[Bettie]

Watch the reviews and ratings

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter where he takes us, he gives us a rich story

John Shors travels. That fact is certain. Not only does he travel to the exotic places from which his intricate and exhilarating novels are seeded, but he obviously travels to the libraries that hold the compendium of historical data with which he embroiders his tales. This is his seventh novel, and with each new novel his maturity as an artist grows.

The dependable factor in owning and reading a John Shors book is that in addition to weaving a fascinating story that includes all facets of human relationships, the reader will learn facts from history that sadly are not readily available in our schools. Take this current novel - TEMPLE OF A THOUSAND FACES - for example: in this hefty but fast reading book he explores the history of Cambodia, the building of Angkor Wat (believed to be the largest religious structure in the world), the geography of Southeast Asia in the 12th century which incidentally includes the warring nation of the novel, Cham, as the progenitor for the current country of Vietnam and Siam as the current Thailand, insights into the cultures of the various countries of the region - including clothing, food, manner of battle, royalty, lineage, etc.

Shor's technique of storytelling is to firmly establish place before beginning his novel, and in this book he opens the first chapter in `Angkor, Late monsoon Season, 1177' with a history of the temple of Angkor Wat and the manner in which it was built, a careful description of its towers and structure of sandstone (apparently 40 years in the making) and references to the God Vishnu. Gradually he adds his characters and leads us into the incipient war between the Khymer and the Cham, carefully sculpting his heroic lovers so that they become visible. From there the story not only sweeps us away with the passion that leaps from the pages but also maintains a vantage of offering decisions on the part of the reader as to what is right and wrong, just and unjust, worthy and unworthy.

Much of the joy of reading John Shor's books is that experience of entering an unknown era and learning more about another time and another culture while reveling in the major themes of the story. To summarize the plot would take pages. It is enough to say that this book, along with all of John Shor's novels, is richly rewarding. Highly Recommended.

Grady Harp

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found the characters to be too sappy, with overly lengthy sections of dialog repeating their devotion to one another. Felt that the novel would've benefited from tighter editing to make the story more compact and faster paced. Was also looking for more description of the historical setting, but the author chooses to focus on character interaction. Animals are randomly thrown into the middle of conversations for no apparent reason. Eg 'A snake glided through the dense undergrowth.' or 'A carp flipped in the lake a few meters ahead.' etc.

Perhaps a reader who has no prior knowledge of Angkor and the Khmers will learn much and find the story fascinating enough, but those familiar with the background will probably find little additional knowledge to be gained from reading this work of fiction.

[Deborah Pickstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful author's personality shines through in his writing - yes, that is an assumption but John Shors gave me the rare experience of being both deeply engaged in his story and believing, at the same time, that I could hear him thinking. I would rarely make any attempt to say I know anything about an author but if JS is not an optimist, a romantic and does not truly like women I will eat every hat I possess! I gave the book to a friend and she had much the same reaction.

Don't get the idea that this means his writing is light and frothy - it isn't - and bad things do happen to the characters. Also, be mindful this is an historical novel and JS follows fact where it is known. Of myself, I will say that I don't enjoy undemanding books so there is plenty of food for thought in here.

Thoroughly recommended to every kind of reader!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so happy I got this book from First Reads. I really enjoyed the story. I had a hard time putting it down, I wanted to know what was going to happen. I didn't know anything about Angkor Wat before, now I really want to go and visit the Echo Chamber. I also enjoy how John Shor has a way of making the surroundings come to life along with his characters. It adds another layer to the story. I could see the jungle, hear the monkeys, and feel the heat. Really good book. Thanks, First Reads!

[Janet Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read John Shors' Beneath a Marble Sky, loved it, and was hoping that Temple of a Thousand Faces would be spun from the same cloth. It was. This is an epic, beautiful novel. Historical fiction at its best.

[Lori Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is a wonderful example of why I love historical fiction.... I learn things about civilizations I previously knew nothing about!!! This this was the first novel I've read by Shors and I truly look forward to reading more by him... I really enjoyed this!!!

[Гери · Rating 3 out of 5]

Това е вторият автор този месец, който бил учител в Япония(по английски ъф корс) после ходил по екскурзии, та после прописал. Явно да напуснещ великият САЩ ти дава вдъхновение и увереност, че може да пишеш и познаваш Изтока.
Все пак ще отделя изречение, че авторът споделя, че с печалбата от книгата дарява на детска безплатна болница до Ангкор Ват!
И, да пишеш за нещо непознато отвъд океана спечелва читателя, особено когато е и на любовна тематика, съвсем си уцелил в целта, това е по-скоро по-наивен любовно-приключенски роман, като години преди историческите, с които сме свикнали, понеже няма такива сцени само хубави думи и възвишени чувства (даже на мен ми дойдоха много)
Самата съпротива на това историческо действие размита като и всичко в романа, почти няма достоверност, но това е литературно произведение все пак.
Но образите са безумни и нереални. Най-верните хора на завоевателя не стават за нищо, единият се влюбва в една места и ха -вече я обича(дали се дължи на гологърдите кхмерки щом преобърна за дни целия му светоглед), нея пък избиват годеника и семейството ѝ на сватбата, но тя след два дни вече го е забравила и раните ѝ са минали. Е, имаше там някаква вяла съпротива, но после намери, че една сестра ѝ е жива и това сякаш изби всички избити (да, получи се хубав лаф) Лошият е зъл Дънкан Маклауд, всъщност като образ най-интересен, защото двамата крале са ужас, единият неуверен редяш лего (ъъъ камъни), другият напълно нерационален.
И кралицата му будистка пък, която само го съветва, той е хиндуист и понеже ние хората особени през 12 век са приемали и разбирали чуждата религия и сме се съмнявали в нашата си(точно никога!), например завоевателят убива жреци, а уж е хиндуист, поне да беше друговерец. Бузизмът на Аядеви, която подтиква към насилие и после се сеща, че не е особено ок за кармата ѝ, поне внася мъдрости.
А семейството рибари са толкова скучни и за да има някой проснат труп, все едно е книга за 13годишно, но забавна книга, един филм с Тони Джаа няма да е излишен.
Липсваше ми една наистина жена-войн, каквито се срещат на изток. например -внимание истински исторически факт в това ревю- сиамците, които в случая не избиват кхмерите, са оглавени от две сестри в една битка(това го няма в книгата) каквато и да съм феминистка, неопитна жена срещу обучен войн няма никакъв шанс(важи и за рибарите)
Все пак е чудесна реклама за Ангкор Ват и за южноазиатските култури, макар само да открехва вратичка, може да запали интерес у доста читатели.

[Sonal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated by the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat. This book transported me to 12th century Cambodia and gave me a little travel bug- I hope to see the place soon but for now I explored the splendid architecture and the beautiful landscape through the eyes of the author.

The story is like a fairy take, an evil Cham king Indravarman leads a surprise attack against the Khymers and capture & pillage their capital city killing thousands. Fortunately, the Khymer prince Jayavar and his wife avoid capture, flee to the jungle and gather an army in hiding. They attack back, defeat and kill the evil king in an epic battle with the help of a Cham warrior Asal and take back Angkor.

The plot is fast paced and the exquisite setting makes it all the more entertaining & lively.
The characters are all well defined and I like that the author chose them from different sections of society, wherein he weaves the story of an exiled king and a family of poor fisherman simultaneously. I loved the character of Asal- a ferocious Cham warrior with a soft & kind heart who falls in love with a Khymer girl and after witnessing the viciousness of his king, switch sides for love & survival. This book gives a good insight into the culture & life of 12th century Cambodians. A delightful read!

[Ashwini · Rating 3 out of 5]

34%, 170 pages in and this book is getting tedious to read. I picked up this book because Angkor Wat fascinates me and I wanted to read its story. Who built it, how did it look, who were the people who lived during those times, etc. But this book is set a little after the temple complex was built, there’s a siege and a war between the Khmers and the Chams. There’s a whole lot of bloodshed, torture, spying on each other and more war, not something I want to read right now. The writing is superb, and if you’re in the mood for blood and gore and a whole lot of heartache, it’s a great book, but I’m not sure when or if I will ever pick it up again to finish it.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: When his land is taken by force in 1177, Prince Jayavar of the Khmer people narrowly escapes death at the hands of the conquering Cham king. Exiled from their homeland, he and his wife Ajadevi set up a secret camp in the jungle with the intention of amassing an army bold enough to reclaim their kingdom and free their people. Meanwhile, Cham King Indravarman rules with an iron fist, pitting even his most trusted men against each other and squashing any hint of rebellion.


This isn’t the first time I have read a John Shors novel. A few years ago, I devoured Beneath a Marble Sky and Beside a Burning Sea. I was thrilled so see that he had a new book

One look at this cover and I knew I was in for a treat. The artwork perfectly reflects Mr. Shors rich and detailed writing, as well and the glory of the Angkor Wat temple. To be honest, I don’t know a lot about Cambodia, so it was very interesting reading about this period of their history. Especially, as the story was based on true events.

Although Prince Jayavar and his wife are the backbone of this story, there are several other characters that play a major role. King Indravarman and his assassin Po Rame are perfectly sinister, and Boran and his wife and children are just simple fishermen, but prove to be just as important in their own way. My favorite characters were Voisanne and Asal. She being so brave and him so strong. I really enjoyed following their changing story as the novel unfolded. Mr. Shors added to the character development by telling the story from several different points of view. I liked this, and was able to learn much more about each story teller. It really added to the suspense when, as the reader, I knew something that the other characters did not.

Hands down the best part of this book is the setting and the details. The beautiful temples and lush jungle were so well described that they came alive for me. As I was reading it was so easy for me to imagine the buzzing mosquitoes and thorns of the jungle, as well as the golden opulence and beautiful views of the temples. The small story of “creating” the Cambodian flag was a nice addition.

I wouldn’t say that this is a light and easy read. It was 507 pages and with all those details, it took longer to finish than I expected. However, I looked forward to reading it every chance I got. This was John Shors at this best. I think I like it even better after sitting down to write this review, if that is even possible. Novels like this are the very reason that I read historical fiction. I would recommend this to anyone who loves to fall into a great historical fiction.

This review originally appeared on momwithabook

[Darlene Matule · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love history and long novels that take time to tell the stories of multiple characters. "Temple of a Thousand Faces" not only fits that bill, but makes the reader eager for more.

In "Beneath a Marble Sky" I became engrossed in previously unknown historical details of India, a county that had entranced me since the 6th grade when I first studied the Taj Mahal.

This latest historical novel from John Shors brings the Khmers, builders of the famed Angkor Wat in what is now Cambodia, and the invading Chams, who came from present-day Viet Nam, together in a life and death conflict. I found myself referencing the map Shors included often--thank you, John.

The three love stories included are both unique and indicative of three separate classes of people. This moves the book forward without the reader even realizing it.

I loved the royal pair, Prince Jayavar and his chief wife Ajadevi. He proved himself a tender father and husband--and a warrior strong enough to accept Ajadevi's counsel, something unique at that time of civilization. Theirs was indeed a union of deep love.

The love affair between Cham warrior Asal and Khmer Voisanne should never have happened--their differences seemed insurmountable. But their love burned with passion. They grew, even with the almost impossible difficulties fate dealt them.

Then--from royalty, to privileged, to truly poor, we came to fisherman Boran and his wife Sorijyal. And found that true love is not measured by wealth.

Each character in "Temple of a Thousand Faces" is so deftly molded, the reader almost feels the author is also an artist. An artist who is as adept at creating real-live people from marble to as to painting a landscape where wind blows and birds sing.

[Diana Suddreth · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were things I really liked about this book and I know many people enjoy it, but there were also aspects that got in the way of my rating it higher. I liked the setting, one that is unfamiliar to me and therefore exotic. On the other hand, the author didn't bring Angkor Wat alive in a way that made me want to visit any more than I aleady do nor did the the temple play a prominent enough role in the story to really matter. Most of the plot could have taken place anywhere. Perhaps this is becuse so little is known of the fight of the Khmers to rid their land of the Chams, which was something I enjoyed learning about.

I liked that the story included characters on both ends of the social scale--the king and queen, a Cham officer and Khmer villager, a family of fishermen--but sometimes I found the interactions between them implausible. The relationship between the twin fisher-boys and their parents was very sweet and aside from the part where Vibol went to fight alone, I liked this their story best. The sacrifices of the parents as the twins sought to become men were reminiscent of the stories of so many parents seeking to both hold on and let go, that I found these sections to be the most real.

The plot flows along as easily as the rivers through Cambodia at times languidly developing and at others moving rapidly along. Unfortunately, it is often predictable and while the ending is satisfying, it is predictably so.

In the notes John Shors says that he simplified the language because today's communication is more simple than that of the past. I find this insulting and can't help but wonder if that simplification is what detracted from my full enjoyment of the otherwise interesting tale.

[Steve Piacente · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took 30 years to build Angkor Wat, but centuries for someone to write a novel that truly captures the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire in Cambodia.

Men and elephants did the heavy lifting back in the first half of the 12th Century, constructing a timeless complex dedicated to the Hindu Gods Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu. Still standing, still awe-inspiring, Angkor draws more than a million international visitors a year.

Author John Shors also faced a prodigious architectural challenge in writing, “Temple of a Thousand Faces,” given that much of the history about Angkor has been lost. To build a story that rang true, he had to understand the sprawling compound and much about its original citizens, including their culture, leaders, and way of life.

Bringing the story to modern readers required sidestepping another obstacle, namely, replacing an ancient language with dialogue that consistently feels authentic. He succeeded with a simple, polite vernacular that feels reminiscent of old England without the swashbucklers.

Not that there isn’t plenty of action. The story centers on an attack during which a beloved king loses nearly all. The rest is about his attempt to regain his kingdom, with intriguing side stories about love, loss, courage and redemption.

As one who has walked the temples of Angkor Wat as well as the island beaches of Thailand (please see my Pinterest boards), I felt Temple was a far stronger book than another of Shors’ novels, “Cross Currents.” I enjoyed the latter, but the former was masterful. Five stars for “Temple of a Thousand Faces.”

[My Book Addiction and More MBA · Rating 3 out of 5]

TEMPLE OF A THOUSAND FACES by John Shors is an interesting historical fiction set in 1177. 12th century Angkor Wat is reflected in an epic tale of danger,revenge,hate,love,survival,heartbreak,tyranny,betrayal and romance. Prince Jayavar and Ajadevi find themselves on a quest to build an army,regain Jayavar's lands that was taken by force by, Indravarman,the Chams leader. A fascinating story with engaging characters. While, Mr. Shors is a wonderful storyteller,I could not quiet connect with the characters nor did I understand the language,even with the readers guide at the back. If you enjoy Cambodian culture,Southwest Asian history,you will enjoy "Temple of a Thousand Faces". Be warned it does have foul language throughout.Received for an honest review from the publisher.

RATING: 3
HEAT RATING: Hot: Detailed sex scenes,profanity or graphic violence *Due to foul language*
REVIEWED BY: AprilR,(Courtesy of My Book Addicton and More)

[Gaile · Rating 5 out of 5]

A historical fictitious account of a war in Cambodia during the 12th century. Overwhelmed by the enemy, many of the natives escape to the jungle to join their Prince who vows to lead his people back to victory.
There is several love stories in this one but the main one is between Asal who becomes disillusioned with the enemy king and a native woman, Voisanne with whom he falls in love and decides to protect.
This novel is the best that John Shors has yet put out. It moves along at a good clip. The reader is drawn into the struggles of the characters. Often the suspense is unbearable. It has everything. romance,revenge, betrayal, desperation, battles, tragedy coupled with great hope and courage. I will not give away the plot for fear of this review being a spoiler but I assure prospective readers that this one is not to be missed!
This is my top choice for 2013!

[Lilisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book with much anticipation since I very much enjoyed Beneath a Marble Sky a few years ago and because of the historical setting and the focus on the Angkor Wat temple. So much promise – disappointed in the delivery. The historical nature of the story and the place had so much going for it. But the characters didn’t have much depth, didn’t come alive and were rather one dimensional. The setting fared a bit better with Shors painting a fairly decent picture of what it was like in the Khmer Empire in the 12th century, but it couldn't compensate for the book's drawbacks. The writing was rather simplistic and the book could have ended 150 pages earlier. Much as I would have liked to have given this book a higher rater, I couldn’t.

[J. Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a novel about Angkor Wat, and I'm so glad that I got an early look at Temple of a Thousand Faces. This is a marvelous novel--as big and beautiful as the subject matter. Five pages into the story, I was hooked.

[Sue Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of John Shors and his new book didn't disappoint me. On the contrary, I loved it. This is such a big, rich novel, and I enjoyed every page.

[Kim Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a slow burner for me. Once character lines all joined together, I was totally in. Makes me want to head back to Cambodia and explores the temples all over again.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Temple of a Thousand Faces by John Shors which released on February 5 marks a return to historical fiction for John and I can best describe this book as no less than an epic masterpiece. I have read many of John’s books but this is my absolute favorite so far and I don’t imagine I will forget this story for some time. This novel is engaging and amazing on so many levels and so beautifully written. What adds to the story is that John actually traveled to Cambodia and visited the temple of Angkor Wat and researched his story as much as was possible. However the story takes place in the year 1177 and not a lot of information is left so what he couldn’t find he imagined and that is where the magic of this story comes alive.

Prince Jayavar and his chief wife Ajadevi are of the Khmer people. They are people of love and peace and when their homeland is attacked by the Cham people they find themselves running for their lives and manage to escape into the jungle. The Cham King is a ruthless and cruel man who thinks nothing of wiping out entire families in order to feed his power and greed. When the prince’s family is destroyed Jayavar becomes King and along with his wife’s counsel he begins to build an army in order to exact his revenge and take back his homeland for his people.

As mean as the Cham King Indravarman is all of his soldiers are not; in particular Asal who is a young and powerful warrior. Indravarman values him not only for his expertise as a warrior but also because he is intelligent but ultimately Indravarman is loyal to no one especially anyone who might threaten his position as King. As a reward Indravarman gives Voisanne, one of the women that had been captured by the Chams in the upheaval, to Asal. Of course Voisanne expects the worst and is surprised that Asal has no intention of hurting her. In fact as time goes on he seems quite taken with her. Can love bloom where there is so much pain and hatred?

Then we have a family who captured my heart. Boran and Soriya are parents to Vibol and Prak. Both brothers are very close with Vibol being stubborn and reckless and Prak, because he is almost blind, more settled and reliant on his other senses including his sharp mind. They are family of fishermen who know nothing of the toils of war but when Vibol is witness to the brutal murder of a girl he knew by the Chams his desire for revenge becomes overwhelming. In order to keep their family together they join Jayavar’s army and learn to fight together but above all their love for each other shines through.

This novel is about the majestic Angkor Wat but it is also very much about love and the spirituality of the people of that time. Their beliefs in dreams and signs is fascinating as is their belief that as people leave this world they come back to the same people they loved in this life. I love how the men of this time (other than the Cham people of course) valued their women and even had a temple devoted solely to them. As I read I became so invested in many of these characters and with the way this story is portrayed I felt as though I was there. I could see the beauty of Angkor Wat and I could feel the passion and love between Jayavar and Ajadevi as well as Asal and Voissanne. At the same time I could feel the heat of battle and would find my heart racing as swords and axes were flying. It is the mark of a good author when they can take you so far back in time and have you feel as though you were reliving the lives of these people.

Temple of a Thousand Faces receives the highest recommendation from me. For those of you who have the novel I urge you to make time to read it as you won’t regret it. It’s one of those books that you want to rush through because it’s so good and yet you want to put aside for a while because you don’t want the story to end. It is a novel of love betrayals, loyalty, and survival and I truly loved this book so much so that it will top my list of favorites for 2013!

[Viv Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I won my copy of the book via a giveaway hosted by Goodreads.

I gotta say, history has never been my favorite subject and with a few exceptions it has always failed to capture my interest AND hold my long-term attention. The cultures which have always held my interest have been from the distant past. Usually this consists of cultures before the Christian religion was born. The ancient Celts, Vikings, Egyptians, and a few others have been the focus of my only interest in history whether it be true accounts or fictional. In Temple of a Thousand Faces I have found a new interest in a culture I had little knowledge of. I'm not saying my interest was non-existent but it was sparked by fictional things such as the movie Tomb Raider, hardly a reason to become engrossed by a people long dead. The book has a reader's guide included and because I think it will enhance my review for others I will answer some of the questions here, however this means that some spoilers will inevitably be present so if you wish to read with an open mind perhaps you should not read my review any further than this.

1) What was your overall reaction to the novel? What parts did you particularly enjoy? - My overall reaction to the novel was exhilaration, passion, and praise in the work which John Shors has written with the magnificence worthy to bring such a wonder as Angkor Wat to life in such a way. I particularly enjoyed the parts of the book which came from the perspectives of the fictional characters Mr. Shors created for the reader to grasp the understanding of the undercurrents of this time in history. Asal and Voisanne were the voices I looked forward to the most, with Prak, Vibol, Boran, and Soriya being my other point of interest.

2)Had you heard of Angkor Wat before reading Temple of a Thousand Faces? - I must confess that I probably had heard about it but because of my severe lack of interest in history I likely shuffled it to the cobweb filled recesses of my mind.

3) Clearly John Shors tries to bring Angkor Wat and its surroundings to vivid life. Is he successful? Can you visualize the temple and the people? - In my opinion he is resoundingly successful in bringing this majestic temple, the people who built it, and the land in which is was built to vivid life. I found it easy to visualize the people, the temple, and everything else which Mr. Shors described without getting bored by dry detail.

5) Several of the major characters are powerfully influenced by their belief in reincarnation. Why do you think the author felt compelled to explore this belief? - People are defined by many things. Culture, status, gender, and many other factors. Yet few in all of history has held as little sway over people as their religious beliefs. How many times in history have wars been fought in the name of one religion or another? How many deaths can be attributed to the spread of a religion? How many miracles are professed to happen through sheer faith? The only thing I have ever known to rival the strength of faith is the strength of love.

9) Do you think that works of historical fiction serve to make the world a smaller and perhaps a better place? Why or why not? - I believe that yes historical fiction serves to make the world a smaller and maybe a better place. As the old saying goes, history is written by the victor. Rarely if ever are any true accounts left behind by the defeated for future generations to understand both sides. Mostly we are left to wonder and yet most make assumptions based on what they learn in class or even based on personal biases. Authors such as John Shors bring to life everything about the times of which they write. Each side is given representation. Each walk of life gets a chance to have their story told.

I applaud John Shors for this captivating work and I think that maybe I will keep an eye out for Beneath a Marble Sky so that I can be swept up by another people in another time.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story Description:

NAL Trade|February 5, 2013|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-451-23917-4

In his international bestseller, Beneath a Marble Sky, John Shors wrote about the ancient passion, beauty, and brilliance that inspired the building of the Taj Mahal. Now with Temple of a Thousand Faces, he brings the legendary temple of Angkor Wat, an unrivaled marvel of ornately carved towers and stone statues. There, in a story set nearly a thousand years ago, an empire is lost, a royal love is tested, and heroism is reborn.

When his land is taken by force, Prince Jayavar, of the Khmer people narrowly escapes death at the hands of the conquering Cham king, Indravarman. Exiled from their homeland, he and his mystical wife, Ajadevi, set up a secret camp in the jungle with the intention of amassing an army bold enough to reclaim their kingdom and free their people. Meanwhile, Indravarman, rules with an iron fist, pitting even his most trusted men against each other and quashing any hint of rebellion.

Moving from a poor fisherman’s family whose sons find the courage to take up arms against their oppressors, to a beautiful bride who becomes a prize of war, to an ambitious warrior whose allegiance is torn – Temple of a Thousand Faces is an unforgettable saga of love, betrayal, and survival at any cost.

My Review:

John Shors newest novel is an absolute work of genius! The novel, a historical fiction, set in the 1100’s is one of his best works yet. I’ve read all of John’s previous books and each was truly a stunning success on its own, however, Temple of a Thousand Faces really shines through as the magnum opus.

The novel is about the temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia where, John himself traveled to research this book, and is set in the year 1177. The Khmer people and the Cham people go to war to seek ownership of this grand, majestic, and massive temple. I especially loved the “echo chamber”.

The Khmer people were led by, Prince Jayavar with his beautiful wife, Ajadevi by his side. They are a people of unbiding and unconditional love and caring and want their citizens to live in peace and prosperity. Indravarman is head of the Cham people and is an evil, wicked, self-serving man who rules with an iron fist and has an altogether different agenda. The Cham’s soliders are all dedicated to Indravarman and his evil ways except one named, Asal who falls in love with a Khmer woman named, Voisanne. Will this love be enough to make him turn tide?

I loved a wonderful family we meet along the way whose patriarch is nothing but a simple fisherman. His lovely wife, Soriya and their two boys, Prak, who is almost blind, and Vibol are Khmers. The family is so dedicated to their Prince and the people that they too are brave enough to take up arms and aid in the war. Their part in the story will make you feel good and your heart will most certainly go out to them.

Temple of a Thousand Faces is filled with a rich history, beautiful imagery, full of suspense, drama, intrigue, love, hatred, a brutal war, and finally a stunning conclusion.

One of my favourite all-time books has been Pillars of the Earth written by Ken Follett but John Shors has just bumped Pillars to second place on my list. John is truly a master storyteller.

I’ve just ordered five more copies to give to friends as an act of kindness and to ensure that they don’t leave this earth without reading THE BEST novel they’ll ever read in their lives. Thank you, John, for providing me with the best 507 pages I’ve ever read!

[Teresa Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last night my boyfriend was reading Temple of a Thousand Faces by John Shors. We were going to play some cards when he reached a good stopping point, but he couldn't stop reading! Having already read Temple, I was able to be a "good girlfriend" and do something by myself while he read on.

Temple of a Thousand Faces has something for everyone: an exotic setting, two unusual and powerful love stories, family devotion, lots of action, and two of the baddest bad guys ever.

Through his evocative description of setting, Shors has the ability to transport us to another time and place, making us feel that we are there in Angkor Wat during the late 12th century. He has researched the time and place meticulously, giving us details of clothing, architecture, and customs that help us navigate the culture gap so that we can immerse ourselves in the action of the plot.

And talk about action! The late 12th century was a time of strife for Cambodia and its people, the Khmers, as they battled with the Chams (Vietnamese) to keep control of their territory. Shors' battle scenes are detailed and realistic but not over-the-top, so people like me, who normally avoid scenes of violence, can still read them. Since the story's plot revolves around altercations between the Khmers and the Chams, there are plenty of battle scenes. The difference between Shors' treatment of battle and other books I've read is that his battle scenes are not body counts but, instead, are opportunities to explore the participants' motivations and feelings around the impending action.

(I won't comment on the antagonists of Temple of a Thousand Faces here--except to say that they are truly evil--because I don't want to spoil the story.)

Shors also clearly understands women and is able to write authentically from both a male and a female point of view, which is unusual for any author. The love stories of two sets of main characters are each poignant in their own way as the lovers strive to stay together despite the outside forces pulling them apart. Also moving is the sub-plot of a family of fishermen caught up in Cambodia's struggles whose tight family bonds and devotion to each other is tested by the upheaval around them. These characters' thoughts, feelings, and actions show Shors' understanding of human emotions and values whether the character is young or old, male or female, high-born or of peasant stock.

If you enjoy historical fiction rich with imagery, characters' voices, and detailed events, then Temple of a Thousand Faces is a must-read.