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emcheym's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rayarriz's review
5.0
I'm reading the best books over my spring break, that's for sure. This one I couldn't put down and I stayed up till 3am finishing. Bible stories are always interesting and I liked how the author gave Delilah sensible motivations for what she did.
farmfreshlisa's review
4.0
I have always read books based on major biblical characters with some skepticism. I have seen far too many stray WAYYY beyond the pages of the Bible in their story and it left me with a sour taste. BUT, when the character is in the Bible without a lot of pre-history or "what happened next", I am always willing to give it a try. Delilah is one of those characters. The only information we have about Delilah is found in Judges 16:4--"Afterward it happened that he (Samson) loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah." We know the story of how she was going to earn MUCH silver if she would help betray Samson to the Philistines, and eventually she did--leading to Samson's capture, blinding, slavery, and ultimately his grand death.
I admit, I have always asked--why? What made her do it? Where did she come from? What did she look like? I therefore, enjoyed seeing how Angela Hunt wove the past of Delilah into the story of Samson. I KNEW it was speculation, but it was actually pretty believable. We know from the Bible Samson was a lover of beautiful women--so we know she had to be stunning. Commentaries can't decide what her true "career" was, yet we know she knew how to weave (Judges 16:13-14)--so having the author give that as a career to Delilah was appropriate.
Delilah is a story of the woman who betrayed Samson, but this novel, also explores what was going on in Samson's head throughout all of this. The narration switches back and forth between Delilah and Samson. So we see his thoughts (some taken straight from the Bible and some fiction) as he journeys from the wedding to the philistine wife that blew up in his face, to the various defeats of the Philistines by his hand. He has a servant named Rei--which we eventually come to realize is a bit more than the manservant Samson thinks he is. We also see tie ins with other parts of the Bible that are going on at the same time, which shows the author's great research to keep those parts of the story accurate.
The story ends exploring the question of whether or not Delilah was in the Temple of Dagon on the fateful last day of Samson's life. I don't mind the redemptive end they gave Delilah. Because it is one of those unknowns--so maybe it DID happen like the way the author imagined. Maybe it didn't.
All in all, I give Delilah: Treacherous Beauty 4 1/2 stars. I think it did a great job exploring both the life of Samson and Delilah. Because there isn't a lot to go off of relating to Delilah, I didn't mind the author's speculation, and don't think she took it places it definitely couldn't have gone. I think all her speculation was valid and COULD have been a way it played out. I definitely think the portrayal of Samson was done well and she kept to the Bible for most of her work there. I give it an extra 1/2 star because it made me explore the time period more to see if Samuel was indeed a contemporary of Samson, and as it shows he WAS, gave me a deeper connection with the story. Books about Bible characters that make me GO to the Bible to learn more or re-read are definitely worth my time. I DO recommend this book highly--especially to those who like fictional stories based on Biblical events. I am looking forward to reading books #1 Esther: Royal Beauty and #2 Bathsheba: Reluctant Beauty in this Dangerous Beauty Series now that I have enjoyed book #3. I just need to make sure my library has them.
I admit, I have always asked--why? What made her do it? Where did she come from? What did she look like? I therefore, enjoyed seeing how Angela Hunt wove the past of Delilah into the story of Samson. I KNEW it was speculation, but it was actually pretty believable. We know from the Bible Samson was a lover of beautiful women--so we know she had to be stunning. Commentaries can't decide what her true "career" was, yet we know she knew how to weave (Judges 16:13-14)--so having the author give that as a career to Delilah was appropriate.
Delilah is a story of the woman who betrayed Samson, but this novel, also explores what was going on in Samson's head throughout all of this. The narration switches back and forth between Delilah and Samson. So we see his thoughts (some taken straight from the Bible and some fiction) as he journeys from the wedding to the philistine wife that blew up in his face, to the various defeats of the Philistines by his hand. He has a servant named Rei--which we eventually come to realize is a bit more than the manservant Samson thinks he is. We also see tie ins with other parts of the Bible that are going on at the same time, which shows the author's great research to keep those parts of the story accurate.
The story ends exploring the question of whether or not Delilah was in the Temple of Dagon on the fateful last day of Samson's life. I don't mind the redemptive end they gave Delilah. Because it is one of those unknowns--so maybe it DID happen like the way the author imagined. Maybe it didn't.
All in all, I give Delilah: Treacherous Beauty 4 1/2 stars. I think it did a great job exploring both the life of Samson and Delilah. Because there isn't a lot to go off of relating to Delilah, I didn't mind the author's speculation, and don't think she took it places it definitely couldn't have gone. I think all her speculation was valid and COULD have been a way it played out. I definitely think the portrayal of Samson was done well and she kept to the Bible for most of her work there. I give it an extra 1/2 star because it made me explore the time period more to see if Samuel was indeed a contemporary of Samson, and as it shows he WAS, gave me a deeper connection with the story. Books about Bible characters that make me GO to the Bible to learn more or re-read are definitely worth my time. I DO recommend this book highly--especially to those who like fictional stories based on Biblical events. I am looking forward to reading books #1 Esther: Royal Beauty and #2 Bathsheba: Reluctant Beauty in this Dangerous Beauty Series now that I have enjoyed book #3. I just need to make sure my library has them.
bibliomane_books's review
4.0
Delilah is the third in the Treacherous Beauty series by Angela Hunt. I feel that each book is a stand alone and can easily be read in any order.
Everyone knows the story of Samson and Delilah from the Bible. But one thing we don't know is what Delilah was like growing up. What was her home life like? What lead her to betray Samson in such a way?
This books answers those questions using Hunt's gift of story telling. The novel follows the factual account of the Bible carefully interwoven with fiction. It blends perfectly and reads like a tragic love story.
I spent most of this book feel sorry for Delilah, feel compassion and understanding for most of her decisions; however, at the end of the book, I was still angry and broken with her decision to betray Samson. I love how Hunt was able to play with my emotions, drawing me in to like Delilah - and then at the end reminding me exactly why she is one of the BAD GIRLS of the Bible!
I'll admit, I put off reading this book because I was afraid it was going to be dry. I am very happy to say that this book is colorful, accurate, interesting, and most of all is a wonderful read. I plan to read the other books in the Treacherous Beauty line. In fact, I just purchased "Esther"! I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Everyone knows the story of Samson and Delilah from the Bible. But one thing we don't know is what Delilah was like growing up. What was her home life like? What lead her to betray Samson in such a way?
This books answers those questions using Hunt's gift of story telling. The novel follows the factual account of the Bible carefully interwoven with fiction. It blends perfectly and reads like a tragic love story.
I spent most of this book feel sorry for Delilah, feel compassion and understanding for most of her decisions; however, at the end of the book, I was still angry and broken with her decision to betray Samson. I love how Hunt was able to play with my emotions, drawing me in to like Delilah - and then at the end reminding me exactly why she is one of the BAD GIRLS of the Bible!
I'll admit, I put off reading this book because I was afraid it was going to be dry. I am very happy to say that this book is colorful, accurate, interesting, and most of all is a wonderful read. I plan to read the other books in the Treacherous Beauty line. In fact, I just purchased "Esther"! I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.
dnyameke's review
3.0
This book was okay. I preferred the first two in the series. The whole first half of the book in her pov was pretty boring and I just wasn't that interested. I think for me personally when it comes to biblical fiction I don't really like when too many things are made up. Delilah's story in the bible does not tell us too much about her so there was already not much very go off of. I would much rather read this story entirely through the eyes of Samson. I will say the last third of the book was pretty good and saved it from a 2 star rating. I just could not get into Delilah and I really did not like the things she would think and say about her son. Overall it was pretty ehhh.
jazzyjan94's review
4.0
This review appears on my blog: https://confessionsofabookwormweb.wordpress.com/2016/06/24/book-review-delilah-treacherous-beauty/
I would like to thank NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for sending me an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Angela Hunt is a fantastic writer, in fact probably one of the most memorable books from my childhood is her book The Tale of Three Trees (I only found out about a year ago that she was the author). I haven't had an opportunity to read a lot of her books, but the ones that I have read have been great reads, and Delilah wasn't any different.
Delilah tells the story of Samson and Delilah, however the author takes creative license and tells the story of Delilah's background. The novel starts in Gaza, where seventeen year old Delilah is getting used to life in a new city after her mother remarried. Her step-father is kind and has a prominent position in the city and respected by everyone. However, her step-father soon dies and her mother and herself are left at the mercy of her step-brother Achish, who treats them horrendously. He sells Delilah's mother into slavery and makes Delilah his slave, however she soon runs away and tries to figure out a way to free her mother. The readers are introduced to Samson when he is trying to win the hand of the Timnahite woman and the events that happened after that.
If you are interested in reading the biblical account of Samson and Delilah you can find in Judges 14-16, which is what this novel is based on.
I liked how this was told from the first person point of view, which isn't really common in most biblical fiction books, at least in the ones I have read. I also liked how we got both Delilah and Samson's points of view - in a way there are two stories until their paths converge into the events that happen between them. As I mentioned before the novel starts several years before they actually meet.
I enjoyed how Angela Hunt brought these historical people to life through her novel. Samson is portrayed as being kind of arrogant, which I feel like that does fit him considering that he believed that he could do whatever he wanted because he was chosen by God. However, throughout the novel, it shows how God is merciful to him despite his mistakes. Delilah is also an interesting character because she starts out as being innocent, however through a series of events she starts to become vengeful and that is why she betrays Samson. It is also interesting how she starts to become duplicitous, but yet she accuses others of being liars when she is just as guilty.
I don't know if I necessarily agree with the author's portrayal of Delilah, I guess I always pictured her as being a really evil seductress. But then again it is a fictional account of real events and the author did have to fill in missing pieces from the biblical narrative, especially since not much is said about Delilah except her betrayal of Samson.
I liked how Angela Hunt reminds readers in the author's note at the end of the book that Samson and Delilah were people, and I think sometimes it is easy to forget that these historical people also had emotions and struggled with decisions in their life. I also appreciated how Hunt explains why she wrote Delilah the way she did, and it makes sense.
I am giving this book 4/5 Stars because even though I did enjoy it, I didn't fully agree with how Delilah is portrayed in this novel. But Angela Hunt is still a great writer and I can't wait to read more of her work.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for sending me an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Angela Hunt is a fantastic writer, in fact probably one of the most memorable books from my childhood is her book The Tale of Three Trees (I only found out about a year ago that she was the author). I haven't had an opportunity to read a lot of her books, but the ones that I have read have been great reads, and Delilah wasn't any different.
Delilah tells the story of Samson and Delilah, however the author takes creative license and tells the story of Delilah's background. The novel starts in Gaza, where seventeen year old Delilah is getting used to life in a new city after her mother remarried. Her step-father is kind and has a prominent position in the city and respected by everyone. However, her step-father soon dies and her mother and herself are left at the mercy of her step-brother Achish, who treats them horrendously. He sells Delilah's mother into slavery and makes Delilah his slave, however she soon runs away and tries to figure out a way to free her mother. The readers are introduced to Samson when he is trying to win the hand of the Timnahite woman and the events that happened after that.
If you are interested in reading the biblical account of Samson and Delilah you can find in Judges 14-16, which is what this novel is based on.
I liked how this was told from the first person point of view, which isn't really common in most biblical fiction books, at least in the ones I have read. I also liked how we got both Delilah and Samson's points of view - in a way there are two stories until their paths converge into the events that happen between them. As I mentioned before the novel starts several years before they actually meet.
I enjoyed how Angela Hunt brought these historical people to life through her novel. Samson is portrayed as being kind of arrogant, which I feel like that does fit him considering that he believed that he could do whatever he wanted because he was chosen by God. However, throughout the novel, it shows how God is merciful to him despite his mistakes. Delilah is also an interesting character because she starts out as being innocent, however through a series of events she starts to become vengeful and that is why she betrays Samson. It is also interesting how she starts to become duplicitous, but yet she accuses others of being liars when she is just as guilty.
I don't know if I necessarily agree with the author's portrayal of Delilah, I guess I always pictured her as being a really evil seductress. But then again it is a fictional account of real events and the author did have to fill in missing pieces from the biblical narrative, especially since not much is said about Delilah except her betrayal of Samson.
I liked how Angela Hunt reminds readers in the author's note at the end of the book that Samson and Delilah were people, and I think sometimes it is easy to forget that these historical people also had emotions and struggled with decisions in their life. I also appreciated how Hunt explains why she wrote Delilah the way she did, and it makes sense.
I am giving this book 4/5 Stars because even though I did enjoy it, I didn't fully agree with how Delilah is portrayed in this novel. But Angela Hunt is still a great writer and I can't wait to read more of her work.
blueluz's review
4.0
Almost everyone knows at least something about the story of Samson and Delilah. The beautiful and treacherous Delilah working with the Philistines to capture Israeli strongman Samson. Has anyone before considered where Delilah was coming from? What were her motives? Why did Samson trust her?
Angela Hunt takes on these questions and more in Delilah. We are able to see a possible backstory of Delilah and Samson, a motive for Delilah, a reason for Samson’s trust. Though these are all guesses, the novel gives a plausible story drawing on both the biblical story and historical context.
Delilah was a character who had to learn to be strong. Her life, up to the death of her stepfather, was relatively easy. She was provided for and taken care of. Then, she ended up abused by her stepbrother, escaping slavery, and discovering an unwanted pregnancy. No one could say her life was easy after that.
Samson was a judge and a fighter for Israel. He opposed the Philistine invasion of his country and did what he could to torment the Philistines. He also admired beauty, especially the beauty of Delilah.
With Samson, Delilah felt safe and loved until her stepbrother finally found her. Delilah’s actions all came from her wish for safety for herself and her son. She saw an opportunity to finally ensure her continued safety, and she grabbed at it. Her actions were all for her son.
I enjoyed Delilah as it really gave depth to Delilah that isn’t found in the biblical narrative. While this is a work of fiction, it does stay true to the biblical account while adding more to fill in the gaps.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration. This in no way affects my opinion of the title nor the content of this review.
This review first appeared at Orandi et Legendi.
Angela Hunt takes on these questions and more in Delilah. We are able to see a possible backstory of Delilah and Samson, a motive for Delilah, a reason for Samson’s trust. Though these are all guesses, the novel gives a plausible story drawing on both the biblical story and historical context.
Delilah was a character who had to learn to be strong. Her life, up to the death of her stepfather, was relatively easy. She was provided for and taken care of. Then, she ended up abused by her stepbrother, escaping slavery, and discovering an unwanted pregnancy. No one could say her life was easy after that.
Samson was a judge and a fighter for Israel. He opposed the Philistine invasion of his country and did what he could to torment the Philistines. He also admired beauty, especially the beauty of Delilah.
With Samson, Delilah felt safe and loved until her stepbrother finally found her. Delilah’s actions all came from her wish for safety for herself and her son. She saw an opportunity to finally ensure her continued safety, and she grabbed at it. Her actions were all for her son.
I enjoyed Delilah as it really gave depth to Delilah that isn’t found in the biblical narrative. While this is a work of fiction, it does stay true to the biblical account while adding more to fill in the gaps.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration. This in no way affects my opinion of the title nor the content of this review.
This review first appeared at Orandi et Legendi.
narnianbrigette's review
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
I thought this book was good. I liked reading this idea about what Delilah may have been like, what her life may have been like, and what reasons she could have had for betraying Samson. I enjoyed her character. However, there are a couple things that brought my enjoyment down just a little.
First, why doesn't the widow Delilah lives with for awhile have a name? I didn't notice this at first, but after several pages and right around the time of, I suddenly realized everyone only seems to refer to her as "the widow"? Seriously? Why didn't she introduce herself when she and Delilah first met? I'm supposed to believe that Delilah lives with her for five or six years, and she never refers to her by name? Why? Did the writer just forget to name her, or has her name always been "the widow" even before she was married?
Secondly,
Still, I did enjoy the book for the most part, so I'm giving it 3.5 stars, though leaning just a little more to the 3 star side.
I thought this book was good. I liked reading this idea about what Delilah may have been like, what her life may have been like, and what reasons she could have had for betraying Samson. I enjoyed her character. However, there are a couple things that brought my enjoyment down just a little.
First, why doesn't the widow Delilah lives with for awhile have a name? I didn't notice this at first, but after several pages and right around the time of
Spoiler
the widow's deathSecondly,
Spoiler
it was also a little disappointing that we don't actually get to Delilah and Samson meeting until 3/4ths into the book, and even then a lot of their relationship is skipped over and told to us instead of shown. There's a little bit of their development in a couple scenes, but it's not really enough to get me super invested in their relationship, especially since I already know how it ends. I understand that a lot of time was needed in order to develop Delilah in particular as a character first, but considering how well-known the Samson and Delilah story is, it would have been nice if there was a little more development there too.Still, I did enjoy the book for the most part, so I'm giving it 3.5 stars, though leaning just a little more to the 3 star side.
katiebella_reads's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4⭐️
"But surely Adonai, creator of everything good, would create nothing unless it had a reason for being"
When Delilah's stepfather suddenly dies, she finds herself in a horrible predicament. Due to their Egyptian roots, her stepbrother claims there was no marriage, and they were bought slaves. Quickly, he sells off her mother, and in act of violence makes her his concubine.
The other half of the story is Samson (obviously). As a grown man, he finds out that he has a God-given destiny. Proclaimed by an angel before he was even conceived. Samson uses God's calling as an excuse to behave badly. He answers to no authority because he is "ordained " by God.
I love how the author perfectly blends biblical facts with her own fiction to make the story's seamlessly flow without rewriting religious history.
I never liked Samson, but that's a bible study for another day. But i always admired Delilah for her self-preservation.
I always thought she was a woman of "ill repute" and sacrificed samson for her own sake. This story made me reread the bible passage showing me it never actually says that about her. i had just infered that. I gave her a strength of character that the bible did not.
**This book shows her act out of revenge against all the men that hurt her and ultimately save a nation.
Samson and Delilah were not heroes or villains. They ere people.....because people, with all their flaws, are what God uses to work His divine will.
- Angela Hunt
"But surely Adonai, creator of everything good, would create nothing unless it had a reason for being"
When Delilah's stepfather suddenly dies, she finds herself in a horrible predicament. Due to their Egyptian roots, her stepbrother claims there was no marriage, and they were bought slaves. Quickly, he sells off her mother, and in act of violence makes her his concubine.
The other half of the story is Samson (obviously). As a grown man, he finds out that he has a God-given destiny. Proclaimed by an angel before he was even conceived. Samson uses God's calling as an excuse to behave badly. He answers to no authority because he is "ordained " by God.
I love how the author perfectly blends biblical facts with her own fiction to make the story's seamlessly flow without rewriting religious history.
I never liked Samson, but that's a bible study for another day. But i always admired Delilah for her self-preservation.
I always thought she was a woman of "ill repute" and sacrificed samson for her own sake. This story made me reread the bible passage showing me it never actually says that about her. i had just infered that. I gave her a strength of character that the bible did not.
**This book shows her act out of revenge against all the men that hurt her and ultimately save a nation.
Samson and Delilah were not heroes or villains. They ere people.....because people, with all their flaws, are what God uses to work His divine will.
- Angela Hunt
reynoldsreads's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Delilah is such a mysterious character in the Bible: all we really know is that Samson loved and trusted her, and she betrayed him. I always thought it was strange that he would tell her the true secret of his strength after she attempted to trap him multiple times. Angela Hunt does a skillful job of giving this woman a backstory, motivations, and character. Her fear is real, her strength and determination are admirable, and her decisions are difficult but understandable. It’s a fascinating take on the story!