Amanda S. (homemomma) reviewed The Thief: A Novel (The Living Water Series) on + 38 more book reviews
Well written and fast paced, this was a good book if you enjoy Biblical fiction. The characters, Mouse, Nissa, and Longinus were full of life and almost jumped from the page as did Dismas the thief. I very much enjoyed how each of these people interacted with the other. They were complex and emotional; not cardboard cut-outs where everything turns out okay because we must have a happy ending.
I enjoyed how the author took these characters and wrote a story that very well could have taken place during the same time preceding and leading up to Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection. Seriously, what could have been going on at the sidelines? Having read the Bible from my young childhood and continuing to do so, I was entranced with how the author wove this story into the historical fact of the resurrection. I read with new light just how the thieves might have gotten caught that hung with Jesus, what could have transpired during the months prior, and saw just how desperate things could have been for Nissa and her brother Cedron. It made me think - and I like that.
Up to the point of the crucifixion, the author had done a good job of staying true to the facts recorded in the Bible, but two things stood out to me at the time of the crucifixion and resurrection that I feel I must address. Not because I enjoy finding fault with people or with tearing apart their work, quite the contrary, but because I feel that for my own readers, these needed to be addressed.
One.
It's said that the nail went through Jesus's bone in his feet which sounds suspiciously like it was broken. This is in direct contrast to Old Testament prophecy that none of his bones would be broken. Psalm 34:20. This is a big deal. If even one of His bones had been broken, prophecy would not have been fulfilled and Jesus would not have been the Messiah.
Two.
The rock that covered the tomb was cracked down the middle.
Matthew 28:2- And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it.
Mark 16:4- And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
Luke 24:2- And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
John 20:1 - the first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early. When it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
This also is a big deal as the Bible specifically states that an angel rolled it away and sat upon it.
I still think this is a good book. It held my attention and the characters were likable and I was sympathetic to their plights. This is a fiction novel and should be read with that in mind and never should a fiction book take the place of the Bible.
*My thanks to the publisher, Howard Books, for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions. These thoughts are my own, and I was in no way required this review be positive.*
I enjoyed how the author took these characters and wrote a story that very well could have taken place during the same time preceding and leading up to Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection. Seriously, what could have been going on at the sidelines? Having read the Bible from my young childhood and continuing to do so, I was entranced with how the author wove this story into the historical fact of the resurrection. I read with new light just how the thieves might have gotten caught that hung with Jesus, what could have transpired during the months prior, and saw just how desperate things could have been for Nissa and her brother Cedron. It made me think - and I like that.
Up to the point of the crucifixion, the author had done a good job of staying true to the facts recorded in the Bible, but two things stood out to me at the time of the crucifixion and resurrection that I feel I must address. Not because I enjoy finding fault with people or with tearing apart their work, quite the contrary, but because I feel that for my own readers, these needed to be addressed.
One.
It's said that the nail went through Jesus's bone in his feet which sounds suspiciously like it was broken. This is in direct contrast to Old Testament prophecy that none of his bones would be broken. Psalm 34:20. This is a big deal. If even one of His bones had been broken, prophecy would not have been fulfilled and Jesus would not have been the Messiah.
Two.
The rock that covered the tomb was cracked down the middle.
Matthew 28:2- And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it.
Mark 16:4- And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
Luke 24:2- And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
John 20:1 - the first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early. When it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
This also is a big deal as the Bible specifically states that an angel rolled it away and sat upon it.
I still think this is a good book. It held my attention and the characters were likable and I was sympathetic to their plights. This is a fiction novel and should be read with that in mind and never should a fiction book take the place of the Bible.
*My thanks to the publisher, Howard Books, for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions. These thoughts are my own, and I was in no way required this review be positive.*
The Thief is the second Biblical fiction book that I've read by Stephanie Landsem. It is a wonderful story about the life and people in Jerusalem during Jesus' last days immediately prior to His death on the cross. Like the first book, The Well, the author is very true to the Biblical account, but adds in her creative story that meshes with what we already know from the Bible. I think she does an amazing job in writing this novel.
I recommend this book to readers who like Biblical fiction. If you haven't tried this genre, The Thief would be a great initiation, because the basic story is familiar.
I recommend this book to readers who like Biblical fiction. If you haven't tried this genre, The Thief would be a great initiation, because the basic story is familiar.
Laura L. (lauraofharvestlane) reviewed The Thief: A Novel (The Living Water Series) on + 85 more book reviews
http://harvestlanecottage.blogspot.com/2014/03/review-thief-by-stephanie-landsem.html
One of the best inspirational fiction stories I have read. Set in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus's ministry, this story shows life and the culture of the everyday people. I don't want to give much away but you will be blessed and moved after this read. Loved it
