The Reboot

In The Reboot, Stephen Hiemstra masterfully weaves a story that is both imaginative and deeply grounded in timeless truths. With characters that wrestle with faith, identity, and purpose, Hiemstra invites readers into a world where the struggles of youth and the echoes of history collide in surprising ways. This is a compelling read that lingers in the heart long after the last page.

What a thrill to adventure again with the Fearsome Threesome. For those new to Scripture, biblical truths unfold with surprising clarity at the nexus of modern language and ancient context. For more seasoned scripture readers, familiar voices and scenes reemerge, intricately woven into a narrative tapestry of carefully researched practices and places.

I recommend Stephen’s book most heartily. He is a most learned man who writes with skills that make his books understandable and valuable. He can surprise the reader with the unexpected. Then, he can come to a conclusion that is gratifying to the reader. He is a gifted communicator!

In Stephen Hiemstra's split-time novel, The Reboot, the sword of Tiberius, Poseidon’s storm, Pan's Gates of Hell, and the intrigues of the Judeo-Roman world are interwoven in Jeez and Tom's search for the callings on their lives. Tom discovers his calling as he returns to his time. Jeez answers the call of a broken world.

The Reboot, a sequel to Jeez and the Gentile, transports college student Tom back to the times of Jesus, where together with Jeez Tom travels along bandit-ravaged trails in Israel and then takes a highly risky sea journey to Rome, all the while embroiled in the dangerous politics of the Roman empire.

This is a multi-dimensional story, revealing both adventurous life in the world of Christ 2000 years ago, and at the same time the character development of Tom and Jesus himself. It’s a great read for any young adult curious about life in the age of Jesus, and how this all relates to life today.

The author again takes Tom on an adventurous journey back in time. The college-aged Tom returns again to Nazareth and collaborates with Jeez and Mary Magdalene. The three travel as Roman auxiliaries from Caesarea to Rome, combating danger along the way and meeting historical characters from Biblical times. Amid their service as Roman guards, both Tom and Jeez face the dilemmas regarding their future callings. If you enjoy time travel, adventure and the history and culture of the first century Roman Empire, this book is for you.

This novella focuses on a theme we struggle with today more than ever—identity, especially our identity in Jesus Christ. In this book we can follow the trials of a young college student, Tom, who—like us—has too easily strayed from his calling, but with Jesus’ help finds his way back. This book is perfect for anyone who has wondered what to do when the path forward is less than obvious.

Hiemstra continues his Jeez and the Gentile series with this playful time-crossed adventure/parable, picking up with Tom—now an 18-year-old freshman at Cambridge in the story’s contemporary timeline, before a quick nap transports him back centuries—and Jesus, who goes by the name Jeez here, reuniting in 15 CE to travel to Caesarea Philippi on an errand for King Antipas. But what seems an easy task quickly transforms into a political nightmare with deadly stakes, as Tom and Jeez discover Antipas has been summoned to Rome by the emperor Caesar Tiberius—and they must accompany him to keep him safe.

Our eminent duo is soon joined by Jeez’s sister, Mary Magdalene, in a man’s disguise and calling herself Leo. They share a sneaking suspicion that all is not as it seems: King Herod’s wife Herodias has taken a special interest in Mary Magdalene, assassins are hiding around every corner, and even Jeez is questioning the correct path forward. That’s saying a lot for the very man who declares he’s come “to save the lost sheep of Israel” and can calm unsettled seas with just a simple phrase. Tom is equally troubled, balancing girlfriend issues with uncertainty about his college major during the present day, while slashing and slaying dangerous enemies at Jeez’s side in the past. His loyalty—and considerable prowess with a spear for a pre-med freshman—gains him accolades (he’s declared Tribune Tom after a particularly astonishing kill), and his time spent in Jeez’s company eventually clarifies his sense of purpose.

Hiemstra clearly enjoys playful adventure and satirical characters, though readers may find the story’s transitions between past and present abrupt and dizzying. The refreshing spin on biblical and historical references engages, but frequent tense changes and stiff prose—characters routinely “opine,” emotions are flat, and, at one point, the Roman prefect cautions Tribune Claudius “Don’t knock carrier pigeons”—sacrifice atmosphere. Still, YA readers interested in biblical retellings and out-of-time surprises will be entertained.

Takeaway: Entertaining time-crossed spin on Gospel stories, for YA readers.

Comparable Titles: Erin Phillips’s A Crown of Chains, John Fergusson’s King Solomon’s Deadly Legacy.

Production grades
Cover: C+
Design and typography: B
Editing: C
Marketing copy: A

The screenplay adaptation for The Reboot was honored as a quarter-finalist at the 2026 Outstanding Screenplays Feature Competition.

The screenplay adaptation of The Reboot placed as a semi-finalist in the International Indie Screenplay Festival.

The screenplay adaptation of The Reboot was a finalist at the 2026 Near Nazareth Festival.