“When HaShem bestows a gift, does He not expect us to use it?”

I really enjoyed my first Biblical fiction novel by Angels Hunt. While The Apostle’s Sister is #4 in the Jerusalem Road Series, I never once felt at a loss for knowledge of what may have transpired in previous books.

Shaul ( eventually Paul) and Aya, his independent sister who longs to be free to use her voice in public, alternate narrating chapters. We meet the Jewish family who in this novel, have great social Greek connections. Yet, some facets of their lives are very restricted by the law. Shaul studies in Jerusalem under Gamaliel, constantly debating the finer points of the law with other students and teachers. “In this city, perhaps in homes not far from me, other young men were debating similar questions, focusing their energy on minuscule points of the Law while they missed the miracle of what HaShem had done through Yeshua.”

We get great insight into the workings of the Jewish high court and hierarchy system therein. We also see the intense pressure and persecution that comes as followers of the Way are discovered and weeded out. I may have needed Kleenex in several places, so I obviously connected to the characters closely.

Aya especially struggles with a sense of significance under the Jewish laws and customs. How does she ““Honor the gift HaShem gave you,” when her culture and life circumstances prohibit it?
“I enjoy singing because when I sing, people see who I am.” Can HaShem help her find the sense of significance we all strive for?

Hunt includes an abundance of Scripture references, which is good thing in this book. I was amazed Hunt could skillfully tie so many in, without info dumping or preaching. Obviously, Hunt has done her Biblical scholar work!

I highly recommend The Apostle’s Sister along with a reading pet companion and plenty of Kleenex.

I received a copy of the book from Bethany House and NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. ( )

Although this book is part of a series, it stands alone as a complete story. This well-researched and well-written book is the story of a Jewish woman, Aya, who lives in the time of Jesus and the birth of Christianity. Her brother, Sha’ul later becomes the Apostle Paul, and Aya comes later to believe as her brother and son believe. The book accurately depicts the life of a Jewish family from Tarsus, who later move to Jerusalem for further Torah and Midrash studies. It discusses the divide between the Jewish families who wished to remain true to their teachings versus those who accepted Yeshuah as the son of HaShem (God) and as the Messiah.

Author Angela Hunt obviously feels her subjects passionately and longs for all the Jews and the Gentiles as well to accept Yeshuah as the Messiah. The reader can feel the author’s delight as she writes about successful conversions of her main characters, especially at the book’s end, when Aya discovers that her late husband had become a believer, and that they would be reunited someday.

I recommend this book to the serious Christian reader. It makes the time and place extremely accessible to the casual researcher. ( )

This book was a slow start for me. I did keep reading and I'm glad I did. The story goes back and forth between Saul's/Paul's sister and Saul/Paul.
The characters are fairly well defined but not great. The story was on the slow side. It picked up some but was not a "can't put down" kind of read.
I chose to read and review this book through Netgalley based on the author, Angela Hunt. In general, I like her books but this was not her best.
I give this book a 3 out of 5 star review. This review is freely given and the book was given free through Netgalley. ( )

Aya and her brother Sha'ul marry a week apart. Sha'ul, a Torah student, moves his new bride to Jerusalem to finish his studies. Aya and her husband Avidan follow so that Avidan may also study in Jerusalem. Both couples follow the rules and regulations of Judaism and are shocked when Jesus of Nazarene arrives in the city and begins to challenge the norm. After Jesus' trial and death, Sha'ul begins prosecuting his followers. However, on a trip out of town, he is converted to the new religion. Aya's husband dies, and she is left alone to endure the ostracism that her brother has brought about.

This was a fascinating and well paced book. I enjoyed Aya's story and reading about her lifestyle. The end of the book became a bit too preachy for my tastes, which I found to be off-putting. I wish the author had just stuck to the story. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars. ( )

What If?

The Apostle Paul had a sister? In this book, we meet Aya, a beautiful teenager that is being forced into an arranged marriage. Aya wants a life besides that of a wife and mother, she wants to use her gift of singing. She is frustrated that her parents have let her use it very little, and she is afraid her new husband might not let her at all.

Paul, her much older brother, has always excelled at everything, including being the apple of their parent's eyes. Since he was ten, he has spent most of his life in Jerusalem studying God's word, and grooming himself to be a Pharisee that is a part of the esteemed Sanhedrin.

Aya's life changes when her husband, Avidan, moves them to Jerusalem so he can follow in Paul's footsteps as a scholar of God's word. As time passes, Aya has to deal with many hardships, including the embarrassment of Paul becoming a follower of Christ. Because of that, Aya loses her opportunity to sing, and Avidan is shunned in his studies.

Does Ava ever have a contented life? Will she have a relationship with a Roman official? Does she ever become a follower of Christ, or does she continue to think Christians are deluded?

This book added new dimensions to Paul's story, showing him as a human who had to deal with family relationships and situations. It was eye-opening to see how his sister might have viewed him; this story will pull you in.

The author did a good job of making it seem like you entered a portal into the first century, and she wove the Biblical story into the narrative in a natural way. This five-star book will be enjoyed by fans of Biblical life, historical tales, and well-written stories.

Bethany House has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Apostle’s Sister, for the purpose of review. ( )