My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing
Anna the Prophetess is the dramatic chronicle of the only woman to be called a prophetess in the Gospels. When Anna’s great-niece Julia is exiled to Jerusalem as punishment for her refusal to marry a man old enough to be her father, Anna shares the story of her early days of courtship with her husband. Although Julia’s parents admonished her to observe firsthand how lonely Anna’s life is, Julia instead discovers that her great-aunt’s life is far from lonely. Instead, Anna’s story is one of love, peace, and incredible faith.
As Anna shares her unwavering testimony of the coming Messiah with her great-niece, these two faithful women are changed forever as they seek the Lord’s will in their lives and joyfully witness the long-awaited sign of Christ’s birth.
My Review
I loved the way I felt completely immersed in the Biblical setting of Anna's story! The historical details are subtly woven into the narrative and built a world very different from ours, but familiar from reading the Bible. I was glad that Julia was a main character and that the story was told from her point of view as well as Anna's. She is a stranger to Anna when they first meet, but the family bond and respect allow the women to quickly grow closer together. Julia appreciates Anna's wisdom and unconventional perspective, based on inspiration from the Lord instead of village customs. Anna's role as mentor to Julia allowed me to share that relationship as well and I felt like I was learning from a spiritual giant. I loved the story of Anna's youth and how she met her husband, it was so gentle and sweet how they grew to care for each other. Anna's devotion to her father and brother painted a picture of her contented daily life filled with loving family, observing customs, and serving neighbors. There is some action and conflict that brought variety to the plot, and I felt like it was well balanced. Julia and Anna rely on the Lord's guidance as Julia seeks answers to her decisions about her future with Phillip, the man who she would like to marry but is not in the good graces of the small village because of a past family scandal. I loved the way her experiences with Anna shifted her perspective and gave her compassion for her family, and her tender feelings for Phillip brought more sweet romance to the story. The signs of the Messiah's birth excite and astound those who recognize them and seem to soften the hearts of all, bringing gratitude that the ancient prophecies have been fulfilled. I loved the way Anna and Julia are able to interact with other Biblical persons, such as Simeon, Elizabeth, Mary, and Joseph. The beloved Bible story came to life in my mind and heart as I read this book, and my heart felt full of love and gratitude as I finished it. Highly recommend!!!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Other Biblical Novels by H.B. Moore:
Esther the Queen
The Moses Chronicles
Ruth
Eve: In the Beginning
Follow the Blog Tour . . .
August 14th
LDS and Lovin' It | Bookworm Lisa | I am a Reader
Why Not? Because I Said So | Katie's Clean Book Collection
August 17th
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Other Biblical Novels by H.B. Moore:
Esther the Queen
The Moses Chronicles
Ruth
Eve: In the Beginning
Follow the Blog Tour . . .
August 14th
LDS and Lovin' It | Bookworm Lisa | I am a Reader
Why Not? Because I Said So | Katie's Clean Book Collection
August 17th
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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