Review - - Isaiah's Legacy

ISAIAH’S LEGACY

by Mesu Andrews

Publisher: WaterBrook

Release Date: February 18, 2020

Reviewed by Hellie

    

At eight years old, Shulle has known only life in a small village with her loving but peculiar father. When Uncle Shebna offers shelter in Jerusalem in exchange for Shulle's help tutoring King Manasseh, Judah's five-year-old co-regent who displays the same peculiarities as her father, she's eager to experience the royal court. But Shulle soon realizes the limits of her father's strict adherence to Yahweh's Law when Uncle Shebna teaches her of the starry hosts and their power.

Convinced Judah must be freed from Yahweh's chains, she begins the subtle swaying of young Manasseh, using her charm and skills on the boy no one else understands. When King Hezekiah dies, twelve-year-old Manasseh is thrust onto Judah's throne, bitter at Yahweh and eager to marry the girl he adores. Assyria's crown prince favors Manasseh and twists his brilliant mind toward cruelty, beginning Shulle's long and harrowing journey to discover the Yahweh she'd never known, guided with loving wisdom by Manasseh's mother: Isaiah's daughter, the heartbroken Hephzibah. Amid Judah's dark days, a desperate remnant emerges, claiming the Lord's promise, "Though we're helpless now, we're never hopeless--because we serve El Shaddai." Shulle is among them, a girl who becomes a queen through Isaiah's legacy.

Hellie’s Heeds

Mesu Andrews had her work cut out for this story. As she tells the reader prior to the start of the story: “Manessah became Judah’s wickedest king and destroyed everything his father rebuilt.” Manessah (Nessah) is more villain than anti-hero, though Mesu does an admirable job of creating flawed but nuanced characters who persevere and eventually triumph, and shows God never gives up on a human heart. 

If you are interested in historical fiction (and/or Christian fiction), this book will tick all the boxes, even though at times it is a hard read. Nessah, after all, does really awful things for most of the book, including sacrificing his own children to other gods. In addition to Nessah, there is Shulle’s uncle Shebna--who I think is even more wicked than Nessah--who forces Shulle into a relationship with the child-king and manipulates her in order to gain more power. Then there are the Assyrian kings, Sennacherib, then his son Esarhaddon, and his grandson Ashurbanipal, each seemingly more terrifying than the last. Still, with all its gritty historical detail and darkness, this book is one of hope, which shows itself through Queen Zibah (Nessah’s mother) and the holy prophets who try to touch Nessah’s heart. 

As a plot point (of sorts), Nessah is portrayed as being autistic (as was Shulle’s father, which is how she becomes a tutor to Nessah.) While I believe this was handled carefully and I value diversity and reality (after all, autism isn’t a “new” thing), I think some readers might be taken aback at Nessah being on the spectrum--and being so evil for so long. I don’t know. Again, the author does address this concern in her author’s note; and this may just be my personal discomfort since I have not read many books with autistic characters, nor have I personally known many people on the spectrum (at least that I’m aware of). The author was walking a lot of tight ropes here--and I do think she handled it as gracefully as possible. I think my only “issue” with the character being autistic is that his family and those he interacted with were a lot more understanding and/or careful with him than I think we have treated people who think/look differently, in the past. In this way, this story was a bit “wish fulfillment” to me, but I know that is one of the struggles in writing historical fiction: how do you write about certain things that would have definitely had different attitudes during that period--and not alienate the readership you’re trying to immerse in this time/culture. 

My last bit of contention is how the author treats any religion or belief system other than Judaism (which I understand, obviously.) Fictionally I understand having your characters who believe in God--the only God--to be dismissive and to hate the “false gods.” This is a Christian book, so the underlying theme is that there is only one true God. However, in the author’s note, she makes mention of the dogs who feature in the book and she indicates the violence of the dogs wasn’t meant to offend, but to “show the depravity of this ancient culture.” Pitting one culture against another in a framework of good and bad is why we do not have peace or understanding. While I commend the author on her ability to write a historical story like this with sensitivity and clarity, I was put off by this personal attitude that created division rather than understanding.

Review - - Ever Faithful

EVER FAITHFUL

by Karen Barnett

Publisher: WaterBrook

Release Date: June 18, 2019
Reviewed by Hellie
  

There are as many kinds of summer beach reads as there are ice cream flavors--some bold, some comfortable, but all sweet and hit the right spot on a perfect sunny day. EVER FAITHFUL by Karen Barnett falls into the flavor category of familiar yet swoon worthy, the sort of sweet passion of fresh peach ice cream. 

Blurb: It’s 1933 and President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal shines like a light against the dark despair of the Great Depression. The government gives unemployed young men an opportunity of a lifetime, but it will mean leaving the cities to brave the untamed West.

Nate Webber takes a chance to help his family by signing up for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Although he hides a shameful secret, Nate exchanges the harsh Brooklyn streets for the wilds of Yellowstone National Park, curious to see if the Eden-like wonderland can transform him as well. 

Elsie Brookes was proud to have grown up as a ranger’s daughter but longs for a future of her own. After four years serving as a maid in the park’s hotels, she still hasn’t saved enough for her college tuition. A second job, teaching a crowd of rowdy men in the CCC camp, might be the answer. Elsie is drawn to the beautiful spark within Nate, but she knows the scars she carries are far too ugly for any man to love. 

When tragedy strikes the park, threatening to undo all she’s done to leave her past behind, can Nate and Elsie uncover the truth before all their dreams go up in smoke?

Barnett’s writing is engaging and almost instantly sucks you into the Depression era setting in Wyoming, creating a vivid world of park staffers and the CCC men (almost like a cross between West Side Story with the Sharks and Jets and a little Dirty Dancing, but without the music). The native staffers (i.e. gear jammers, pack rats, pillow punchers, rangers) are as wary of the city boys from Brooklyn (i.e. the Poles, the Irish, etc etc) are of them. But as Barnett impresses upon her readers, adversity creates some great leaders, and one of those leaders is Nate Webber. 

Back home, Nate’s the family failure, too dumb to even finish school, but here in the forest parks of Wyoming, he’s able rise above the things he’s been told all his life. He begins to see a future for himself through the gift of work (something that is in short supply in high unemployment Great Depression.) Soon he is earning a wage he is able to send home to his family; and Nate has earned the respect of his comrades as well as the sergeant of his corps who wants Nate to apply for the manager position. Nate badly wants the job--but one of the requirements of the position is being able to read and write, which he’s unable to do. He certainly doesn’t want to let on he can’t--everyone likes him here and doesn’t constantly call him a dummy. 

Elsie has her own past and secrets: she was the victim of a horrible fire which has left scars on her arms, chest, and neck. She’s the literal ugly duckling, despite her family and friends assuring her that her scars don’t matter. She’s decided therefore she’s unlikely to marry--which is fine because her life’s ambition is to become a teacher. She’s been working the last few years saving up her summer work money until she’s earned enough for tuition to the University of Montana. Elsie gets a chance to teach the men in the CCC education classes--and she’s soon immersing herself in her life’s dream during the last summer before she goes to college. It is the perfect summer. 

Or it would be if someone wouldn’t set intentional fires during one of the driest seasons she can remember. The rangers and CCC men are on high alert to watch the forests as well as clean up the deadwood to keep ahead of what is potentially a tinder season--and they mostly succeed. The investigation into the arson soon uncovers a sinister plot that seems to lead back to Elsie.

For historical fiction and romance, this story gets a definite five stars. It’s sweet and pure (it is Christian fiction), but so romantic that I wanted a Nate Webber of my own by the time I got to the last page. Nate and Elsie made such a wonderful, convincing couple, I felt sure they could have been my grandparents and their “how we met” story by the time it was done, celebrating their 70th anniversary. The historical detail and setting was sublime--reminding me of stories I heard about my uncles who had served in the CCC, humble young men with little education, little food, but great hearts. As for the mystery bit, I thought it was a bit of a fluffy letdown--but I do believe it does fit the coziness factor that I think this book falls into. (But I also think writing a whodunit is hard and I can be particular...so take my opinion of the fluff factor with a grain of salt.) The secondary characters on the whole were well rounded--and it was lovely to have parents of characters who are good parents and not dysfunctional, absent or abusive ones (well, Nate’s dad is an alcoholic, but we never met him, so I don’t count it.) Elsie’s dad though is a park ranger and a lovely man who loves his wife, modeling the kind of marriage and manliness Elsie seeks when she begins to think of Nate in that way. Nate’s wingman, Red, is adorable--and the subplot of him and Elsie’s best friend Mary was a delightful romance as if you were getting two for the price of one. 

This book is the third in a series about the national parks during this era with the CCC programs--and I plan to look up the first two books in the series. (This book works as a stand alone--don’t worry! I just sought out the other books because I enjoyed the author’s voice so much and hoped for more! I was delighted to learn there were two others.) Barnett’s writing is engaging, romantic, and the kind of sweet comfy read perfect for a rainy day...or a beachy one. Enjoy!

Review - - The King's Mercy

THE KING’S MERCY

by Lori Benton

Publisher: Waterbrook

Release Date: June 4, 2019

Reviewed by Hellie

 

A rebel Scotsman escapes the noose when the King pardons him to serve in the Colonies for seven years. Alex MacKinnon is indentured at Severn plantation as a blacksmith, a fate he struggles with as well as the loss of his country, his family, and his Cause. He finds life on a slave plantation intolerable, except for his interactions with the plantation owner’s stepdaughter, Johanna.

Johanna Carey is expected to wed the plantation’s overseer, Phineas Reeves, a man who does not appreciate Johanna’s mercy for the slaves nor her projected future for them. For guidance, Johanna relies on a traveling minister, Reverend Pauling, who visits seasonally the plantation as well as all over the new world spreading the Gospel.

Alex plans to work his years and return to Scotland--or even leave before his time is up if at all possible. The words of God from Reverend Pauling falls on deaf ears, as far as Alex is concerned, because if there were a God, He would not have landed Alex in this mess nor sided with the British at Culloden. Johanna does not want to marry a man who wants to continue her stepfather’s work, especially if it keeps people enslaved; however, it is a delicate balance to keep the overseer at bay. There are numerous challenges besides, what with the several devastating losses incurred by the plantation: the loss of the mill, the tar kiln blowing up and killing people, and other accidents which are beginning to look less and less like accidents.

The who and whys of the misfortunes will keep you turning pages; and the subplots with the former blacksmith and a senior kitchen maid, a nearby plantation owned by a Scotsman, and time spent in a Cherokee village are interesting and well-researched. Reverend Pauling can be a bit much to handle; and the Christian aspects at times felt heavy-handed; however, in the end, there seemed to be more pleasing aspects than not. (Also I’m somewhat heathen--so the Christian aspects may not feel heavy to others.) I did have a bit of misgivings in the beginning, being the story seemed to not address the aspect of slavery as one would expect in a modern novel--I almost abandoned the book--however, I soon realized that the issue of slavery was to be addressed and on the whole was resolved happily given the time period and location. Worth the read.

Review - - A Silken Thread

A SILKEN THREAD

by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Publisher: WaterBrook (Random House)

April 2, 2019

Reviewed by Hellie

18 year old Laurel Millard is struggling between her duty and her desire. Her siblings require her to “take care of their mother” and not marry until she is gone, but Laurel hopes to find a husband who is willing to marry her AND take in her mother. Laurel’s mother shows her a want ad about the Atlanta Cotton Exposition of 1895, hiring loom weavers. Laurel applies for the job as a chance for her to meet new suitors, preferably a rich one who can care for her mother and allow her the life she dreams of. She soon falls for the handsome Langdon Rochester, a dashing rich playboy with the world at his feet, and it seems she may have the answer to her prayers.

However, when disaster strikes the exhibit she works at, Laurel meets Willie Sharp, the security guard posted to protect the display and workers. She gets to know Willie and his friend, Quincy Tate--a black groundskeeper--and she witnesses firsthand the destructive behaviors based on race, education, and social class. In the end, Laurel must make the choice of what kind of love will truly fulfill her.

The story flows between several viewpoints: Laurel, Langdon, Willie, and Quincy. Langdon--it soon becomes apparent to everyone but Laurel--is a complete prat. He’s spoiled, vicious, and manipulating. I feared for Laurel not paying attention to the red flags he presented as a suitor, torn as she was about having a husband who was wealthy enough to provide for her. Willie is Langdon’s polar opposite, not just in education and social status, but in what it means to be a man. He is the sole caretaker of his father who has suffered a stroke. He applies for the job as security guard in order to make more money (than his job at the steam engine manufacturing, which Langdon’s father owns) in order to send his father to rehab. Willie is childhood friends with Quincy, living in a neighborhood that at least on the surface seemed to not notice skin color, but lived with the shared experiences of poverty and social class.

Quincy’s story of being thrilled to work at the Exposition, but soon finding conflict in the everyday racism as well as conflict in his friendship with Willie. Quincy also struggles with himself and how best to present himself to society so they will respect him. His story was the most touching, I thought, of the group, and I thought it was handled deftly while still offering a character with little upward mobility dignity and triumph. I also noticed some wonderful plot braiding and foil mirroring in the story arcs that was a delight to read (as a writer) and marvel at how easy Ms. Sawyer made it look.

Ms. Sawyer includes an author’s note and disclaimer at the beginning of her story, talking about how she was nervous to include a story thread about racism (even though historically correct) and shared a story of growing up in similar way as Willie Sharp and Quincy, friends first before they ever realized what being black or white means. I think Ms. Sawyer handled what most anyone could term a “difficult dialogue” in her story in a genuine, open, and sensitive way. I hope more writers take the opportunity to address relationships of “other” in their books, in hopes of presenting new and valid historical truths that show how alike we all are and how we’re all worthy of love and success. (I also hope to read more historical romances that feature successful and powerful heroes of color--there are some millionaires to be found before Jay-Z, way before Jay-Z. Or maybe a cowboy story along the lines of Bass Reeves? Just putting that out in the Universe.)

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

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The romance between Willie and Laurel is a long time coming but well worth it. Willie is an outstanding hero and well-deserving of the title. Laurel is loving, kind, and generous--and it’s no wonder I panicked when I thought she might choose Langdon. It’s a sweet and thoughtful romance about what it means to love--and I recommend it without reservation.