A Soldier Surrenders

Maybe more so than other saints, the story of St. Camillus’s conversion gives hope to the person who struggles with weakness and sin. Camillus had a bad temper and a love of gambling. For the longest time, he did not see the value of faith or self-control. He may have recognized virtue in others but did not see it as a possibility for himself. But God did not give up on him, just as He does not give up on any one of us. Like a good father, Our Lord allowed many sufferings to come to Camillus. And like so many of us, Camillus had to reach rock bottom before he could look up in faith.

Peek’s fast-paced writing style is perfect for this story. She brings the reader right into the conflict, struggles, and agony Camillus endures. As a writer, I particularly enjoyed the way she handled scenes with battles and sword fights. She weaves the action, thoughts, and emotions of characters together expertly. I also found myself deeply moved by the moments of grace and spiritual insight that came to him and the way his conversion unfolded.

I recommend this book to everyone who loves saint stories. You will not be able to put this book down. But I especially recommend it to the person who struggles or who feels he or she has fallen too far and is unable to reach that better way. There is hope for us all. Holiness is obtainable for anyone. God can do all things. St. Camillus de Lellis, pray for us.

I am a huge fan of Susan Peek’s books. This is the third book of hers that I’ve read and once again I found the story extremely difficult to put down. This author has an uncanny knack for making little-known saints from previous centuries, relatable to modern teens. Her witty dialogue, fast-paced action, and compelling characters make these books perfect for teens and adults.
Camillus de Lellis may have been an unlikely candidate to become a priest and saint with his mercenary background full of gambling, drinking and fighting, but these characteristics make him a fantastic example that anyone can be called by God to do amazing things.