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titagee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rivkah519's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible story! I've very quickly fallen in love with the Restoration Chronicles and especially this one! I didn't know too much about Ezra until this book and I've only read the story of Esther through Esther's eyes. Having the chance to read it through someone else's eyes was very eye opening. I especially loved Amina's story! Absolutely amazing book!
spoorman20's review against another edition
3.0
It's just simply not Francine Rivers. Meh. I finished it because I rarely abandon books, but I was not really connected to it. The Chronicles of the Kings series is much more engaging.
sarah_reading_party's review against another edition
3.0
My five point review:
It took me so long to read and review this book because I didn’t realize it was the second book in The Restoration Chronicles series until after I had received it! Whoops! The first book, Return to Me, was great. I couldn’t put it down. Unfortunately, this book, for me, wasn’t quite as compelling and was too long. It may have just been that it was hard to get into, but I never got that must-not-put this-book-down feeling here. But you might love it!
Regardless, this still was a well written book. Lynn Austin is a great author and I have enjoyed much of her historical fiction (especially that set in the Civil War and WWII eras). The plot centers around the Biblical books of Ezra and Esther, so the time of Jewish captivity. Biblical fiction is just not my favorite, but since I do like Lynn Austin I thought I’d give this book a try.
The way that Lynn Austin told this story was easily the best part of the book. Her writing style and heart comes through so well in this book! When reading Biblical fiction or watching Biblical movies (not that I do that very often… but churches do show them for things from time to time), I find it important that the story be compelling (so as to not further the notion that the Bible is boring) while not adding too much to the text. There has to be a balance between making the times come alive and not assuming too much. I think this book (and series) do a good job at helping readers understand how life might have been like during this period of history. Lynn Austin does use scripture often, so that helps with its authenticity.
Perhaps one of the reasons why this book wasn’t my favorite was that there was a lack of energy and story. Some characters I expected to be more exciting(?) just weren’t, like Devorah (Deborah). Other parts just seemed somewhat detailed and tedious, and while I don’t have anything against long books, this was just hard to power through.
Overall, I have mixed feelings on this book. Since it is based on Biblical history, I don’t want to say it’s bad… and it’s not. However, this genre isn’t my favorite and compared to the first book in the series, this one just didn’t hold my attention as well. It’s worth the read to learn more about this portion of Biblical history for sure. There are lots of good reviews for this book on Goodreads so I may be in the minority on this book! As I said previously, there are other Lynn Austin books that I love so don’t dismiss this author because of me! I hate writing less than glowing reviews, but I do want to be honest. Thanks for reading!
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. However, I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts expressed above are entirely my own. Thanks to Bethany House for the chance to read this great book!
It took me so long to read and review this book because I didn’t realize it was the second book in The Restoration Chronicles series until after I had received it! Whoops! The first book, Return to Me, was great. I couldn’t put it down. Unfortunately, this book, for me, wasn’t quite as compelling and was too long. It may have just been that it was hard to get into, but I never got that must-not-put this-book-down feeling here. But you might love it!
Regardless, this still was a well written book. Lynn Austin is a great author and I have enjoyed much of her historical fiction (especially that set in the Civil War and WWII eras). The plot centers around the Biblical books of Ezra and Esther, so the time of Jewish captivity. Biblical fiction is just not my favorite, but since I do like Lynn Austin I thought I’d give this book a try.
The way that Lynn Austin told this story was easily the best part of the book. Her writing style and heart comes through so well in this book! When reading Biblical fiction or watching Biblical movies (not that I do that very often… but churches do show them for things from time to time), I find it important that the story be compelling (so as to not further the notion that the Bible is boring) while not adding too much to the text. There has to be a balance between making the times come alive and not assuming too much. I think this book (and series) do a good job at helping readers understand how life might have been like during this period of history. Lynn Austin does use scripture often, so that helps with its authenticity.
Perhaps one of the reasons why this book wasn’t my favorite was that there was a lack of energy and story. Some characters I expected to be more exciting(?) just weren’t, like Devorah (Deborah). Other parts just seemed somewhat detailed and tedious, and while I don’t have anything against long books, this was just hard to power through.
Overall, I have mixed feelings on this book. Since it is based on Biblical history, I don’t want to say it’s bad… and it’s not. However, this genre isn’t my favorite and compared to the first book in the series, this one just didn’t hold my attention as well. It’s worth the read to learn more about this portion of Biblical history for sure. There are lots of good reviews for this book on Goodreads so I may be in the minority on this book! As I said previously, there are other Lynn Austin books that I love so don’t dismiss this author because of me! I hate writing less than glowing reviews, but I do want to be honest. Thanks for reading!
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. However, I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts expressed above are entirely my own. Thanks to Bethany House for the chance to read this great book!
blossomgarden's review against another edition
4.0
Another great novel by Austin. I purposely waited to read this until I had the time available to do nothing else. When I start a novel by Austin, it is the only thing I want to do!
Austin develops the characters of her stories in such a way that the reader comes to know them. They might not be able to pick them out if they were given a picture in real-life, but nonetheless, they can tell their personalities. The reader begins to become friends, or enemies, with these characters because they are presented so well.
I especially appreciate Austin's ability to create scenes in the story. She doesn't dwell overly much on the details but one can get a sense of what it is like in the scene. Also, because she has chosen to write from history, she weaves her fiction into what we know from the Bible. Reading through this particular novel, although the Scriptures are all in New International Version translation, I can recall reading it in the Bible. It brings it more to life. These were real events! Austin's inclusion of other characters that are not mentioned in the Bible does not detract at all from the story; it only builds it more and makes it feel real.
I have only one complaint that I don't know if I had never noticed in her other books or are simply not present in the others. Some times the words she uses do not fit the time or circumstance. They are words that are overused {imho} in Christian circles today but they would not have been used in the past, in the part of the world that she writes about. Surprisingly, it doesn't make the writing jagged or halting, but it was just a little thing I caught this time.
So far I have not read an Austin novel I didn't like. This is no exception. Very good book.
I received this free from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing.
Austin develops the characters of her stories in such a way that the reader comes to know them. They might not be able to pick them out if they were given a picture in real-life, but nonetheless, they can tell their personalities. The reader begins to become friends, or enemies, with these characters because they are presented so well.
I especially appreciate Austin's ability to create scenes in the story. She doesn't dwell overly much on the details but one can get a sense of what it is like in the scene. Also, because she has chosen to write from history, she weaves her fiction into what we know from the Bible. Reading through this particular novel, although the Scriptures are all in New International Version translation, I can recall reading it in the Bible. It brings it more to life. These were real events! Austin's inclusion of other characters that are not mentioned in the Bible does not detract at all from the story; it only builds it more and makes it feel real.
I have only one complaint that I don't know if I had never noticed in her other books or are simply not present in the others. Some times the words she uses do not fit the time or circumstance. They are words that are overused {imho} in Christian circles today but they would not have been used in the past, in the part of the world that she writes about. Surprisingly, it doesn't make the writing jagged or halting, but it was just a little thing I caught this time.
So far I have not read an Austin novel I didn't like. This is no exception. Very good book.
I received this free from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing.
aj59bizg's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-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
5.0
lifeoflorac's review against another edition
4.0
I wish there was more information regarding the 70-year passage. I couldn't remember reading anything that suggested time had gone on for that long until I got almost to Chapter 5 and was hit with the time lapse. My heart sank every time the Jews' massacre was discussed. I didn't like to think about the demise of anyone, but especially women and children. However, I found myself rejoicing when good news arrived. Like the first book in this series, I felt like I was sharing the good and the bad with the characters. I enjoyed the intersections coming from Bethlehem as it reminded me as sort of a "meanwhile in. . . " perspective. There were times I was shocked about my reaction the words brought, for example, the times I thought I would be sympathetic, yet I found myself angry. I did find myself sympathetic but shocked regarding Rueben's actions following an event. There were multiple times when I was caught off guard because I thought I knew what was coming, but I was proven wrong. I loved that about this book.
Favorite quote: " It's much harder to resist the enemy of gradualism and assimilation. Much harder to maintain a passion for god when we are bogged in the daily routine of life" - Ezra
Favorite quote: " It's much harder to resist the enemy of gradualism and assimilation. Much harder to maintain a passion for god when we are bogged in the daily routine of life" - Ezra
2elfs's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
The book of Ester is solely focused on the palace. Did you ever stop to think about the common people?
sarahs_readingparty's review against another edition
3.0
My five point review:
It took me so long to read and review this book because I didn’t realize it was the second book in The Restoration Chronicles series until after I had received it! Whoops! The first book, Return to Me, was great. I couldn’t put it down. Unfortunately, this book, for me, wasn’t quite as compelling and was too long. It may have just been that it was hard to get into, but I never got that must-not-put this-book-down feeling here. But you might love it!
Regardless, this still was a well written book. Lynn Austin is a great author and I have enjoyed much of her historical fiction (especially that set in the Civil War and WWII eras). The plot centers around the Biblical books of Ezra and Esther, so the time of Jewish captivity. Biblical fiction is just not my favorite, but since I do like Lynn Austin I thought I’d give this book a try.
The way that Lynn Austin told this story was easily the best part of the book. Her writing style and heart comes through so well in this book! When reading Biblical fiction or watching Biblical movies (not that I do that very often… but churches do show them for things from time to time), I find it important that the story be compelling (so as to not further the notion that the Bible is boring) while not adding too much to the text. There has to be a balance between making the times come alive and not assuming too much. I think this book (and series) do a good job at helping readers understand how life might have been like during this period of history. Lynn Austin does use scripture often, so that helps with its authenticity.
Perhaps one of the reasons why this book wasn’t my favorite was that there was a lack of energy and story. Some characters I expected to be more exciting(?) just weren’t, like Devorah (Deborah). Other parts just seemed somewhat detailed and tedious, and while I don’t have anything against long books, this was just hard to power through.
Overall, I have mixed feelings on this book. Since it is based on Biblical history, I don’t want to say it’s bad… and it’s not. However, this genre isn’t my favorite and compared to the first book in the series, this one just didn’t hold my attention as well. It’s worth the read to learn more about this portion of Biblical history for sure. There are lots of good reviews for this book on Goodreads so I may be in the minority on this book! As I said previously, there are other Lynn Austin books that I love so don’t dismiss this author because of me! I hate writing less than glowing reviews, but I do want to be honest. Thanks for reading!
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. However, I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts expressed above are entirely my own. Thanks to Bethany House for the chance to read this great book!
It took me so long to read and review this book because I didn’t realize it was the second book in The Restoration Chronicles series until after I had received it! Whoops! The first book, Return to Me, was great. I couldn’t put it down. Unfortunately, this book, for me, wasn’t quite as compelling and was too long. It may have just been that it was hard to get into, but I never got that must-not-put this-book-down feeling here. But you might love it!
Regardless, this still was a well written book. Lynn Austin is a great author and I have enjoyed much of her historical fiction (especially that set in the Civil War and WWII eras). The plot centers around the Biblical books of Ezra and Esther, so the time of Jewish captivity. Biblical fiction is just not my favorite, but since I do like Lynn Austin I thought I’d give this book a try.
The way that Lynn Austin told this story was easily the best part of the book. Her writing style and heart comes through so well in this book! When reading Biblical fiction or watching Biblical movies (not that I do that very often… but churches do show them for things from time to time), I find it important that the story be compelling (so as to not further the notion that the Bible is boring) while not adding too much to the text. There has to be a balance between making the times come alive and not assuming too much. I think this book (and series) do a good job at helping readers understand how life might have been like during this period of history. Lynn Austin does use scripture often, so that helps with its authenticity.
Perhaps one of the reasons why this book wasn’t my favorite was that there was a lack of energy and story. Some characters I expected to be more exciting(?) just weren’t, like Devorah (Deborah). Other parts just seemed somewhat detailed and tedious, and while I don’t have anything against long books, this was just hard to power through.
Overall, I have mixed feelings on this book. Since it is based on Biblical history, I don’t want to say it’s bad… and it’s not. However, this genre isn’t my favorite and compared to the first book in the series, this one just didn’t hold my attention as well. It’s worth the read to learn more about this portion of Biblical history for sure. There are lots of good reviews for this book on Goodreads so I may be in the minority on this book! As I said previously, there are other Lynn Austin books that I love so don’t dismiss this author because of me! I hate writing less than glowing reviews, but I do want to be honest. Thanks for reading!
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. However, I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts expressed above are entirely my own. Thanks to Bethany House for the chance to read this great book!