Enjoyable novel concerning the years between the Old and New Testaments, preposterous in spots.
Chava, an Alexandrian Jewish girl, is best friends with Cleopatra and swears she will always remain so in a "blood sisterhood" pact. Through envy [?] on Cleopatra's part, Chava is sold into slavery and ends up in Rome on the farm of the Octavii family. Through the years Chava is obsessed with Cleopatra. Because of her literacy and her beauty, she is moved to the family's house in Rome where she meets the future emperor Augustus [born Octavian] and his friend Agrippa. The latter treats her as a sister all through, although Roman men were known for their promiscuity. That seems hard to believe. She learns midwifery in too quick order it seemed to me, with successful results, even when a novice. In her reading, she mentions Pliny the Elder who lived nearly 100 years later. She does attribute her success to God's help, and she does invoke Him and put her trust in Him all through the novel. The novel does show the power of forgiveness, when she meets Cleopatra for the last time. ( )

Angela Hunt has begun a wonderful new Christian series with Egypt's Sister, the story of Cleopatra. No one had heard from God in four hundred years, yet the Jews were forever faithful servants.

This story was so filled with descriptions that you could picture each and every scene with amazing detail. The characters were realistic and believable. The story increased my faith and I'm sure it will yours. ( )

This is the first book in Hunt’s series that takes place during the “400 Silent Years” between the writings of the Old and New Testaments.

Chava is the Jewish daughter of a royal tutor who grows up as a close friend of the girl would become Cleopatra. She hears God’s voice telling her she would be at the queen’s side on her best day and her last, but the prophecy seems to be jeopardized when a misunderstanding drives them apart. As Chava tries to put the pieces of her life back together, her loyalty never wavers in her determination to return to the woman she loves as a sister and fulfill her destiny.

I really liked this character: her loyalty, resourcefulness, and courage. It was interesting to see the story of Cleopatra’s life told from an outside perspective, especially since I didn’t know very much about her to begin with. There were also a lot of historical/cultural details about Alexandria, Egypt, and Rome that I didn’t know before, that I thought were fascinating!

The idea behind the series is that even during the so-called “Silent Years” when there were no prophets sharing the Word of God, He still spoke to His people is special ways. ( )

While suspense and contemporary genres are my book club’s favorites, we always include a historical novel or two in our yearly selections. Egypt’s Daughter took us to the ancient world of Alexandria and Rome. We didn’t know a lot about this time period, so we appreciated the detailed descriptions of the history and culture of the time. While there are a great many differences from our modern age, there are plenty of parallels. Slavery was a common practice and this, combined with the lack of value of human life, produced a brutal reality for those who were vulnerable. Unfortunately, the hearts of men haven’t changed as much as technology. The author included a number of historical figures within the narrative, giving this book authenticity. Egypt’s Sister is part of the Silent Years series — a time between Testaments in which God chose not to speak to His people through His prophets. That doesn’t mean that God was absent, and as main character Chava discovered, He is always present guiding and directing, providing and protecting. As a means to distract Chava from the court of Cleopatra, her father tasks her to record all the names of God beginning in Genesis. This proved to be invaluable as Chava faced trials. This just reinforced to me the importance of studying scripture — God’s written promises will be there when you need them.

I readily admit that this book did not grab me. I struggled to stay engaged in the story. Chava was a naive, sheltered, and somewhat willful character. The turning point in her life was also a turning point in the story for me. Chava’s growth as a character kept me turning the pages. So if you find the book slow, stick with it. You’ll be glad you did. My book club found a lot to talk about — from the historical context, to the workings of God in His people’s life, to amusing views on labor and delivery. Our conversation stayed focused on the book — always a good sign. 😉

Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

Audience: adults.

(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

I am a huge Angela Hunt fan but I have to say I didn't enjoy this book near as much as most of her others. I was so excited about this novel and started it right after I received it. The characters were fascinating but the story was ho hum. I had to push myself to finish it. I'm glad I didn't pay money for this book. ( )

First, I just have to say how gorgeous this cover is! If I hadn't been intrigued by the synopsis, I would have grabbed it up for the cover alone. Second, if you are not already a fan of Angela Hunt, then you will be after reading this amazingly chiseled novel. She is absolutely talented and truly captured my soul with this new novel. This is Biblical fiction at it's finest!

I am a lover of Historical fiction and this book fits the bill for best of 2017 so far! Reading about Cleopatra and Chava really moved me. I've heard of Cleopatra, of course, but never really read a book that centered around her time. So, getting to know Chava, the young woman waiting to take her place at the Queen's side and Cleopatra, and all that was Alexandra, was truly an event I don't want to forget. The detail that Ms. Hunt adds to this novel is breath taking and I won't soon forget the feel of being in the heart of the story.

If you want a novel that will whisk you away to a time in history that isn't often written about, then I suggest this book with high flying colors! If you want to be captivated and become the characters, then this 5 star novel is highly worth getting! This book kept me turning the pages long into the night and I am already anxiously awaiting another book by this author who knows just what her fans love!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.* ( )

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43 min ago
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Mnleona to youshow details

Book review of Egypt's Sister by Angela Hunt.

From goodreads.com:

Egypt's Sister (The Silent Years #1)

by Angela Elwell Hunt (Goodreads Author)

Five decades before the birth of Christ, Chava, daughter of the royal tutor, grows up with Urbi, a princess in Alexandria's royal palace. When Urbi becomes Queen Cleopatra, Chava vows to be a faithful friend no matter what--but after she and Cleopatra have an argument, she finds herself imprisoned and sold into slavery.

Torn from her family, her community, and her elevated place in Alexandrian society, Chava finds herself cast off and alone in Rome. Forced to learn difficult lessons, she struggles to trust a promise HaShem has given her. After experiencing the best and worst of Roman society, Chava must choose between love and honor, between her own desires and God's will for her life.

Paperback, 379 pages
Published July 4th 2017 by Bethany House
ISBN
0764219324 (ISBN13: 9780764219320)
Series
The Silent Years #1

From the back of the book:

Raised together in the Alexandrian palace, Chava, the Hebrew daughter of the royal tutor, and Urbi, an Egyptian princess, become as close as sisters- and rivals with their dreams of greatness. When Urbi unexpectedly ascends the throne as Queen Cleopatra, Chava believes their bond is strong enough to survive, But absolute power has a way of changing everything.
The ultimate betrayal rips Chava from everything she's ever known and sends her to the lowest rung of Roman society where she must choose between love and honor, between her own desires and God's will for her life, if she hopes to rise again.

Leona's Review:

This book will take the reader into the historical time of Queen Cleopatra, the Romans and Egypt.
This is the first book I have read by Angela Hunt and was very impressed. The book is in the first person spoken by Chava.

The book begins with a close friendship of Chava and Urbi, the future Queen Cleopatra. Their bond is so close that Urbi cuts the palm of Chava and herself and says "Forever friends" and also says "you are blood of my blood, and heart of my heart" which is repeated by Chava.

Chava has been told by HaShem, God, she will be with the queen when she is happiest and at the end.
The friendship does not last after Chava angers the queen and she and her father are put into prison. They are separated and Chava is sold as a slave.

Chava begins a new life as a slave and the reader follows her and how she matures. Chava says at one point in her life "Now, older and wiser, I understood how life could change in a moment."

This book is full of historical names and places even though it is historical fiction. It is one of the few I have read that has written of the twins and other son Cleopatra had besides Caesarion.

The reader will find some historical names that include Cleopatra, Antony, Caesar, Achillas, King Auletes, Octavian, Octavia and Herod.

Historical places such as Egypt, Alexandria, the Library of Alexandria, Cyprus, Rome and Africa. I wish there had been a map of the areas. I know most readers are familiar but in historical books like this one, I personally like a map.

Languages Chava spoke are Aramaic, Hebrew, Latin and Greek.

Some portions describe the harsh lives of slaves but the author does not dwell on it. No bad language.

There are discussions at the end of the story. One question is " How much did you know about Cleopatra before reading this story? Did anything surprise you?"

I received a complimentary copy of Egypt's Sister by Angela Hunt from the author and Bethany House Publishers. The opinions are my own.

Egypt's Sister will get a 5 star rating from me and I look forward to the future books of the series.

Angela Hunt may be found at angelahuntbooks.com

Leona Olson
http://www.mnleona.blogspot.com

© 2017 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved ( )

As the Jewish daughter of a royal tutor, Chava grows up close to palace life in Alexandria. She’s sure that she’ll not be parted from her girlhood friend, the princess Urbi, not even when Urbi ascends to the throne and becomes Queen Cleopatra. But when a crushing betrayal lands Chava in slavery, she wonders what will become of her life and a promise God once spoke to her in Egypt’s Sister, a novel by author Angela Hunt.

I’ve enjoyed Biblical Fiction by this author before and was intrigued to hear that she’d be writing a series about the biblical “Silent Years.” My favorite aspect of this novel is the fact that Chava hears God during this period when He’s supposedly silent. (Yeah—I don’t believe God goes mute so much as we go deaf, but I won’t get into that.)

Now, there were some things in the novel that didn’t make complete sense to me. The process of Chava’s enslavement, for one, didn’t seem to make logical business sense. Aside from that, while this book is called A Novel of Cleopatra, the queen is off screen for most of it. She’s out there living her (now notorious) life, while Chava is left to pine and obsess over her. Eventually, Chava herself alludes to “obsessing over Urbi” for years.

I also found the extent of Chava’s naiveté to be unbelievable at times. Although she’s done some growing by the later chapters, it’s hard for me to be super-enthused about a story when I only feel so-so about the main character.

Still, the ending of the novel has put me in anticipation of the next one in The Silent Years series.
___________
Bethany House provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review. ( )

The Intertestimental Period isn't one we know much about, and while this silent era spans 400 years between the Old Testament and New Testament, history didn't not end. People kept living and growing as the Lord intended them too. There is much we don't know about these years, and many questions we might have, but some of them won't be answered until we reach heaven. Angela Hunt's story during this period captures a little of what it might have been like and what people might have done.

The history intwined in the pages of this book is amazing. I love how Hunt captures the culture and beliefs of the Jews. HaShem is the name Hunt uses most for the Lord God in the book, and I think it brings the Jewish faith and practices into reality. She uses rabbis, and Scriptures, and other writings to emphasis the continuation of the Old Testament in the lives of the family of Chava. While I don't necessarily care for the way Chava's father continually sought to arrange her marriage and the way in which HaShem supposedly revealed His will to Chava, I don't think they are misused by the author. The Lord does indeed speak to His children in different ways, and some parts of culture (arranged marriages) did, and do, exist.

I love Chava's commitment to HaShem's will. She denies herself, her passions, and her desires because she delights to do the will of God. She suffers for it, and while she searches for resolution in her life, she continues to find refuge in HaShem's words and vision to her.

Cleopatra is an interesting character. I appreciated how Hunt wrote of the pagan, Greek and Roman society without condoning it. Cleopatra's life is not one lived under the guidance of HaShem and royalty's lives are riddled with immorality and violence. While the Jews would never dream of living in the manner of the Alexandrians, they know how to worship despite the culture around them, and they know how to interact and live with those who blatantly sin.

Among the death and sadness that surrounds Egypt and Rome, the Jews continually await the coming of Mashiach--the Prince of the world mentioned in Daniel's prophecy. This is a theme that unites the book and gives the people hope in a pagan culture.

The Author's Note was amazingly helpful. I loved how Hunt detailed which historical details were fictional and which weren't. Because I love history and fiction together, I learn a lot when history is woven into a story. This is a beautiful story of God's revelation to a faithful Jewish girl and His redemption in a nation despite the darkness of the culture.

*I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions expressed are my own and I was not required to write a positive review. ( )

I’ve followed Angela Hunt’s writings for years thanks to her predictable ability to turn out a good book especially when she delves into historical fiction as she has this ability to make you believe her stories could have happened. Her biblical fiction takes that ability to new heights as she has this way to make the Bible come alive. This latest is no exception as she takes us back in time to the years between the Old & New Testament and provides us a unique view of Cleopatra’s rise to power which we are privy to through the eyes of her loyal friend. Her storyline isn’t overly predictable so you get to have the fun of guessing what is going to happen next through most of her novel.

Like a typical Hunt book her character development is fleshed out so we really get a feel for who Chava is, her place in the world, her relationship to Cleopatra and her faith. She made her version of Cleopatra seem tragic and authentic as if this was more than an idealized version altered for a story. She has a real knack for creating strong female characters. She didn’t write her characters as being flawless human beings who simply believe in God and have perfect lives which can be an irritating part of Christian fiction.

The historical details she puts makes you feel like you are really learning something about the lives of Egyptians and Romans as well as how the socio-political climate was pre-Christ. Reading about the ‘Silent Years’ as seen from a Jewish family who is navigating the world of Mark Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian against a descriptive landscape gives you the feel of a secular book so for anyone who gets a little nervous reading prototypical Christian fiction you should rest easy and give this a chance.

If you’re into historical Christian fiction you should add Angela Hunt to your Must Read list as she is guaranteed to provide well-written Christian books. ( )