Book Review: Risen – The Novelization of the Major Motion Picture by Angela Hunt

“Love, Clavius. I loved you enough to present my blood as your sin offering. Enough to give my life as your peace offering. forgiveness is yours, if only you will accept it”. “It can not be that simple”, I argued. Even the Jews know that a man has to live a holy life, do certain things, offer sacrifices——-“. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me” Yeshua said.

I bought this book a week to Easter because I wanted to read something that would remind me of Christ’s passion for all mankind. Unfortunately, life happened and I didn’t get to read it until now but it’s better late than never!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen the movie yet so I can not tell if the book represented the movie well enough. Nevertheless, it was a really good read to say the least. As a Christian, the resurrection of Christ is the foundation of my faith. Therefore, reading a story which brings in the historical and cultural events and facts around the time Yeshua (Jesus) was crucified and resurrected from the dead, gave me a better insight of the Gospels in the Bible.

The story is told from the eyes of a Roman Soldier, Clavius and a Jewish widow, Rachael. Clavius, the Tribune, has been directed by Pilate to investigate the rumor about the missing body of Yeshua who was crucified three days earlier and was threatening to cause a possible unrest in Jerusalem. Clavius is determined to get to the bottom of this and his investigation leads him through a journey which leaves him a different man. Rachael who is a Jewish widow, encounters Yeshua as he carries his cross to be crucified and follows the crowd to watch his crucifixion. The experience drives her to seek answers to many questions about Yeshua especially with the strange news of his resurrection. Clavius and Rachael experience Yeshua’s love in different ways that change their lives and understanding of who God (Adonai) is and his expectations of us as his children.

I loved the way the story was told from the eyes of a Jew and a gentile and how they both came to “believe” in the truth. The little touch of romance also spiced it up so well for me however, I was disappointed at how that panned out in the end but ‘God’s ways are not our ways’ so I accept that part of the story with a heavy heart. Both fictional and biblical characters in the story were well developed and this made the story come alive. ‘Risen’ is another reminder of God’s love and compassion towards us. A confirmation that there is no favoritism with God.

“While we were yet sinners, God sent his only Son to die so that we can be saved only if we believe”. God’s arms are always wide open. It doesn’t matter what you have done or not done, his love covers a multitude of sins. Accept the gift of salvation, through the death and resurrection of Christ and enjoy the freedom God has freely given to all men.

I rate this book a solid 4.5 stars and I recommend it to everyone. Please go out and get it!

Published: December, 2015 by Bethany House Publishers

Pages: 320

Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction

The Author: Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With over three million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 100 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels. Now that her two children have reached their thirties, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards–one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City. Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport. Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind. Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. In 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree and completed her second doctorate in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.

Purchase: www.amazon.com/risenbyangelahunt

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