Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “This is a historical fiction that I didn't want to read because I didn't think I could get into the whole "glatiator" thing. I wasn't big on that. But, I discovered that I WAS into the history behind it. It made me understand the origin and fixation with it. The story of Hadasseh was...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“I have only ever ventured into Christian fiction for two series, Left Behind and Love Comes Softly. Both of those series are okay but rather juvenile. They seemed more fluff than substance. Those two series made me shy away from Christian fiction, until this book.
Kim S wrote this review 3 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I only read this book because it was on a Historical Fiction site. I knew Francine Rivers was Christian but I figured it must be loosely so if it is considered for Historical Fiction. I was so delighted in this book, I couldn't put it down. The characters were deep and fascinating. Their growth, both positive and negative, through the book was believable. It didn't shy away from the darker parts of humanity the way so many Christian books do, even in Left Behind, with it dealing about the Tribulation, it makes it seem more cartoonish. This was Rome at its worst.
The author doesn't attempt to recreate archaic language for the most part. The characters use contemporary sayings to describe their world. For the most part it works except in two places. When she described two young Roman girls shopping, I envisioned a mall more than a marketplace. And then the discussion on abortion was couched in contemporary arguments. I am sure the ancients weren't so much worried about the humanity of the unborn as much as they simply wouldn't believe it was alive until the mother to be felt it move. This took away from the story, I thought. Rome was bad enough without bringing our more modern ideas into it. These two areas were small sections of the book and overall didn't detract from the greater plotline.
The relevance of Roman excess would be a good lesson for today. The Christian aspect of the book comes off more in a historical context so that even non-Christians would appreciate this book. While a Christian reading it would find great joy in Hadassah's strength and faith. Rivers refers back to actual scripture when Hadassah is reciting, again, providing a purely scholarly back drop for those non Christians and an affirmation of faith for those of us who believe.
As for the historical accuracy, I am not a student of Roman culture. It seemed to line up with what I understand of it, deviating only in those spots I pointed out above. ”
“So far so good..”
Chloe N wrote this review 8 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“One of my favorites!”
Judy M wrote this review 8 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Be patient through the first 100 pages and you will be glad that you picked up this book. ”
Carol C wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“This series is wonderful! ”
Jennifer B wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“great book!!!”
Aurelia F wrote this review Tuesday, November 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“surprisingly a great read.
roseann t wrote this review Sunday, November 8 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Never thought I would like Christian romance novel but I LOVED it! and the rest of the book in the series.”
“I love the story of Hadassah, Hebrew slave to a wealthy Roman family. The characters are amazing!”
Danielle L wrote this review Tuesday, November 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This series is wonderful.”
Kortney B wrote this review Monday, November 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
