Keepers of the Covenant by Lynn Austin Book Review

 

Review Written By Madi

 

Book Title: Keepers of the Covenant

Author: Lynn Austin

Source: Litfuse

Genre: Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 500

ISBN: 978-0-7642-0899-7

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Year of Publication: 2014

 

 

Book Description

The Old Testament Comes to Thrilling Life in the Latest from Lynn Austin

In one life-changing moment, the lives of the Jewish exiles in Babylon are thrown into confusion and despair when a decree arrives from the king's palace in Susa. It calls for the annihilation of every Jewish man, woman, and child throughout the empire on the thirteenth day of Adar, in less than one year. Ezra, a quiet Jewish scholar and teacher, is suddenly called upon to lead the community as they seek God for a reason for this catastrophe. When a second decree arrives, authorizing them to fight back, Ezra is thrust into the role of military leader as they defend themselves against their enemies.

When the battles come to an end, Ezra's brother Jude is dead and Ezra is required by the Law he so diligently studies to marry Jude's widow, Devorah, and provide an heir. Fatherhood changes Ezra, and he asks God to make a way for him and the other exiles to leave Babylon for good and return to Jerusalem. His prayers are answered and the exiles move to Judea to revitalize worship at the temple--but the fight to keep God's Law is never easy. As more and more of his community are tempted, a new battle emerges...this one for the survival of God's covenant and the souls of His chosen faithful.

 

 

Book Review

This book is a treasure. It's not very often that you find an author capable of mastering such a difficult genre, but let me tell you, Lynn Austin NAILED IT. This is possibly the best book that I have read all year. I loved getting a glimpse into the lives of God's people during the time of Ezra. Though I have of course read the story in the Bible many times, I feel like I got a whole new insight into the story through Keepers of the Covenant. I also read the first book in The Restoration Chronicles, and I really enjoyed it. One way the two books differ, though, is that book one (Return to Me), since focused on a different story, included a little bit more emphasis on witchcraft. It was not condoned or anything, and it was definitely required to properly tell the story, it was just something that I was not super comfortable with. Keepers of the Covenant, however, did not have that stuff in it, so I was glad about that. This book is very well written. It is very descriptive, deeply insightful, and quite the page turner. I look forward to rereading this again one day. It was a sweet reminder that God is in control, even when everything seems to be against you and you think there is no way out. After reading this there's a good chance I will go reread the account of Ezra in the Bible to see how this book measures up, so this novel is also encouraging me to spend time investigating these things for myself, as did the last book. These aren't the only books by Lynn Austin that I have read, in fact, I have read quite a few. This is one of my go-to authors because I know that if she wrote it that I will like it. I have yet to come across one of her books that I regret taking the time to read. I highly recommend this book and it's author to all Christian Fiction lovers.

 

 

Blessings,

Madilyn

 

 

D I S C L A I M E R: I was provided with a free copy of this book by the Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts/sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.