A war that rages between kingdoms on the earth and in the heart.
The harrowing journey of the woman at the center of it all.
Step back in time to the year of our Lord...A.D. 30.
The outcast daughter of one of the most powerful Bedouin sheikhs in Arabia, Maviah is called on to protect the very people who rejected her. When their enemies launch a sudden attack with devastating consequences, Maviah escapes with the help of two of her father's warriors--Saba who speaks more with is sword than his voice and Judah, a Jew who comes from a tribe that can read the stars. Their journey will be fraught with terrible danger. If they can survive the vast forbidding sands of a desert that is deadly to most, they will reach a brutal world subjugated by kings and emperors. There Maviah must secure an unlikely alliance with King Herod of the Jews.
But Maviah's path leads her unexpectedly to another man. An enigmatic teacher who speaks of a way in this life which offers greater power than any kingdom. His name is Yeshua, and his words turn everything known on its head. Though following him may present even greater danger, his may be the only way for Maviah to save her people--and herself.
Through My Window
This is one of the best historical novel of this time era that I have read, on par with Ben-Hur and The Bronze Bow.I've never read Ted Dekker before. Indeed, he is famous for quite a different genre! I'm not going to dash off to read his other books. But whenever he wants to write more biblical historical fiction, I will be right there, thank you.
This novel brings you straight into the harsh and fascinating culture of the Bedu and surrounding tribes. The writing style is more classic than I'm used to, but this fit the type of story perfectly.
And the emotion! Oh, the emotion of these characters. What characters. Maviah is truly compelling and sympathetic and strong. It's always a delight to see a male author portray a heroine with such conviction and respect. As for our heroes, they also are wonderful. Judah, ah, Judah. So classic in all the best ways and yet also unique and fun! And then there's a character who might have fallen into the typical, despicable, flirtatious woman with no moral compass...but instead I quite adored her.
Yeshua. Like the tagline promises, this is indeed a special look at the mystery and wonder of God. I felt like I was there. For me, an aspiring author who hopes to one day write a fantastical allegory on this time period without being repetitive and preachy...this was an incredible inspiration.
I was also pleasantly surprised by how clean this book was. Granted, younger readers might still be cautious for there is harsh violence, including the murder of an infant, but nothing is disturbing in detail. Also, some readers might be surprised by how carelessly some characters deem sexual morality and yet are not villains. Yet everything stayed very mild.
I thought that this was an entire story. Imagine my horror when I discovered the story ends off on an unresolved note. Where's the sequel? There has to be the sequel! *begin to panic...* Oh. There is a sequel. A.D. 33. Coming out 2015. I need it now.
6 comments:
I'm so excited you liked this one! This was one of the best books I have ever read! I absolutely loved it and agree it was emotional! Great review! :)
Am reading it now. Am stuck at home because of ice, and I simply can't put it down! Thanks for the recommendation. And, yes, the characterization is amazing. I love that, so far, there's such authenticity, even among familiar characters such as Herod. He could have easily been portrayed as pure evil. It's very refreshing that he isn't. And, Judah and Saba? I love them!
Glad to hear to you liked it. I have been a fan of Ted Dekker for sometime, but was not sure of this one.
You should try his Circle Trilogy (which is really not a trilogy). It is another allegorical story, starting with the fall of man and ending with the end times.
I would love to read A.D. 30 someday. I only recently heard about this book, but it sounds wonderful.I'm ashamed to say that I've never read a biblical historical fiction book, but A.D. 30 seems like the perfect place to start. I love allegories that aren't cliche and are really eye opening. Also, I don't mind books written in a more classical style. I actually think that Anne Elisabeth Stengl's books are written in quite a classical style, and I like that.
I have not yet read this book of Ted Dekker's. I've read a few other books by him, though. Some of them are pretty good- but I've learned to be very cautious about which book of his I pick up. He writes horror a lot, and his descriptions of violence are typically disgustingly detailed. I've also found that his spiritual fiction, like Sinner and Saint, can be kind of blasphemous.
But not every book of his is like that, and this one sounds pretty good. I might check it out sometime. :)
Yeah, Rayne, what you just described is the reason I've never read any of his books before.
However, the description of violence here is barely detailed, and though every spiritual point may or may not be correct, I don't think it was blasphemous.
The author himself admits he was going through a very dark time, so those books might have come from that.
I'd be very happy if he keeps up this quality.
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