Reviews

I love this book. It is probably in my top three favorites of all time. I loved all the characters. My heart ached for Daniel. I love that he found peace and happiness in the end. Love.

qkjgrubb's review

Go to review page

5.0

I loved this book! So glad it was a part of my homeschooling curriculum! I loved the honesty and delicacy of our main characters' emotional response to Jesus. I REALLY loved that the big illness that Jesus cured for our hero's sister was fear. This book is beautiful, well written and inspired to follow the Nazarene with even more fervor. Can wait to discuss this with my 7th graders!

courtneykfong's review

Go to review page

3.0

I very much enjoyed the concept of this book. I think the execution was not quite there for me.

evaseyler's review

Go to review page

5.0

I really think this is the BEST book, her crowning glory. Each book gets better as her career goes along, and this one I don't think she could really surpass. It strikes me that she must have had a personal relationship with Jesus to be able to write a story with Jesus as a character and yet portray Him with such reverence and reality. There is nothing unBiblical about her portrayal of Him, and her description there in the last chapter of the transformation Daniel feels going on within himself is just amazing.

sundragon28's review

Go to review page

3.0

This book was not what I was expecting but in a good way. I enjoyed the characters and the themes and how they were presented really struck me. While it is not one of favorite historical fiction works, it is definitely an interesting perspective on that time period in history.

The novel is set in Galilee, during the time when Christ walked the earth. It centers on an 18 year-old boy named Daniel whose parents have been killed, and who is seeking revenge for their deaths. His anger meets a head when he comes across the man called Jesus and his teachings to love rather than hate. The story is intriguing and fresh perspective of what it might have been like to live there during that time.

sdmomof5boys's review

Go to review page

4.0

Read this with my 11yo son. We have read Speare's New England-based historical fiction and really enjoyed them. This was quite different being based in Israel during the time of Jesus and Roman rule. I have not read a fictional story based in this time period before, but I actually quite enjoyed it. I especially enjoyed the story of Daniel and the conflict and struggle within him of his responsibilities and life. As he struggles to figure out what he feels, who he should follow, what he believes, I felt it was an excellent book to read with my son as he begins to ask questions and formulate some of his perspectives on life. This is a great teaching tool for teaching values and character. A great read.

reaganwaggoner's review

Go to review page

4.0

It's crazy to think about that time.. the time where so many were ready to rebel, where the Messiah meant a man of war. I can only imagine how Jesus was received and rebuked as a man against the law, as a man against their own faith. These characters are beautifully crafted and expressed. Joel, Thace, Daniel, Leah... I love their quartet. I love their love for one another and the friendships and growth. It's beautiful.

Thace really stuck out this time around to me.. (I've read it 3 times I think now?) She is kind, spirited, loyal, adventurous... confident and caring. She understands the meaning of Jesus's message before the boys do, and she leads confidently without being brash or arrogant. She is a great friend to Leah, patient and kind, and goes after what she wants.

I love their vows to follow God's Victory in the end, and the implicit or implied promise of marriage between Thace and Daniel. And who knows? Perhaps Joel and Leah as well.

All around really good book, and better this time around than ever.

More...