I’m honored to count Angie Hunt among my friends. She’s the author of fiction, non-fiction, and my very favorite Children’s book: The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale (4.9 stars with 2.8K reviews). It’s a great Christmas and Easter read-aloud for parents and grandparents!
But today’s post is about one of her 2018 releases, Judah’s Wife, Book #2 in her Silent Years series. This four-book series explores Israel’s “intertestamental” history. I knew little about the 400 years between the last Old Testament book, Malachi, and Jesus Christ’s birth. The Silent Years series can be read in any order, and each book is a complete story of its own.
Back Cover Copy
Seeking peace and safety after a hard childhood, Leah marries Judah, a strong and gentle man. For the first time in her life, Leah believes she can rest easily. But the land is ruled by Antiochus IV, descended from one of Alexander the Great’s generals. When he issues a decree that all Jews are to conform to Syrian laws upon pain of death, devout Jews risk everything to follow the law of Moses.
The miraculous story of the courageous Maccabees is told through the eyes of Judah’s wife, who learns that love requires courage . . . and sacrifice.
My Review
😛 😛 😛 😛 1/2 Smiles!
I knew very little about the period of the Maccabees or of Israel’s historical journey toward Rome’s domination. Hunt’s Silent Years Series has given me a clearer picture of the four centuries between the return of the exiles (from Babylon) and Jesus Christ’s birth.
Judah’s Wife was a glimpse into the Maccabean period. Brave men and women trusted in Yahweh, though He’d been silent (no prophets) for almost 400 years. Hunt is a master at weaving together important historical facts with her rich characterizations of real heroes in Israel’s ancient past.
For me, Judah’s Wife, took a few chapters to really connect with the main characters, Judah Maccabees, and his eventual wife, Leah. As I continued reading, however, I understood why those early chapters were so foundational to creating two strong characters that I later loved and respected.
The tell-tale sign of a great book (for me) is: Did I cry? I BAWLED like a baby as Yahweh triumphed over His enemies and molded Judah’s and Leah’s hearts together. Judah’s Wife is a book that will linger in my mind for a very long time. Well done!
More About the Author
CLICK HERE to see Angie’s website and learn more about her books, her writing workshops, and much more! You can even look her up on Wikipedia!
