Sometime last year, I read a book by this author titled ‘Risen’ which is a novelization of a motion picture (Check out my review on this book by clicking the “Book reviews” tab on the menu bar of this blog’s homepage). I really enjoyed the story and have been looking forward to reading other titles by her. Recently, I discovered that she had written a series which she called ‘The Silent Years’ and I was excited to read them.
‘Egypt’s Sister’ tells us a story of love, devotion, loyalty, betrayal, bravery and God’s grace through the eyes of Chava, a young Jewish woman who lived in Alexandria during the reigns of Ptolemy XII Auletes and later his daughter Cleopatra. Her father was a scholar and tutor who taught the royal children at the palace and Chava was privileged to study alongside the noble children. This was how she became best friends with Urbi who was later known as Cleopatra. As they grew up and became young women, Cleopatra’s father died and she ascended the throne as the ruler of Alexandria with her younger brother. Chava continued to be loyal to her friend until the queen requested that Chava and her family be made citizens of Alexandria on the condition that they would worship the Egyptian gods in their temples. Chava’s refusal of the queen’s benevolence was the beginning of her woes. Her best friend imprisoned her and her father and they were later sold off as slaves. This story tells of Chava’s travails and experiences in a land far away from home and how God faithfully kept her safe despite the dangers until the end.
This is a story that had so much potential but did not cut it for me. First of all, there were too many history lessons in the book which was overwhelming and took away the core of the story. I enjoy reading historical fiction where the history frames the story and not the other way round. Secondly, many of the characters were not likable especially the protagonist. I couldn’t understand why the author made her so naïve, weak and many times foolish even when certain things were so obvious. It almost seemed like her love for Cleopatra was something deeper than just a friendship between two women. Despite her sufferings, I still didn’t find her likable because up till the end I didn’t think that her experiences changed her. I also didn’t connect with any other character and this made it quite boring.
I was disappointed with this one but I based on the reviews I have read of the other books in this series, I would give the next book a try. If you like historical fiction with loads of history in it then this may be your book.
Rating: 2.8 Stars
Published: July 4th 2017 by Bethany House
Pages: 379
Genre: Historical Fiction (Christian)
Purchase @ www.amazon.com/egyptsister
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.
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