This was my first Grahame-Smith book, and a book club pick ... meaning, I likely wouldn't have read this on my own. It was pretty good. I mean, it's about the baby Jesus, so SPOILER ALERT - you know that at least some of the people involved are going to survive. Even though there were some pretty well-written action sequences (zombies, riots, locusts, oh my!) I never really had that nervous what's-going-to-happen anticipation, because ultimately this is a story that many people already know. The "mystery" of the book is centered around Balthazar, the main character. Who is he really, why is he the "Antioch Ghost", what set him on his path? Balthazar was the best part of the book for me, especially his visions. I loved the writing at those parts. And there were a couple of neat little historical twists thrown in that I appreciated, particularly (view spoiler)[Gaspar and Melchyor being the two thieves crucified with Christ at the end of the book (hide spoiler)]. I didn't see that coming, and I thought it was a great way to tie up a loose end. 
 Overall, though, I enjoyed the book, but I don't know if I loved it. It's tough to take one of the Greatest Stories Ever Told and put your own spin on it, so I appreciate the author's willingness to give it a try. There was good action, but knowing the ultimate outcome robbed it of its immediacy. There were good characters, but they were overshadowed by being part of The Larger Story We All Know, and so their relations and struggles paled in comparison a bit. There were interesting reinterpretations of history, but at the same time, (view spoiler)[baby Jesus is definitely divine and protected from on high (hide spoiler)], which felt like taking the easy way out without offending anyone.