Disappointed. I didn't hate it - it was so-so, not too bad, could have been better.
I knew after about 16 pages I was in trouble when "tremble" was used about 47 times. Everything was trembling. But then, it got more into history for a while but then! it turns out Deborah isn't even the main character. A warrior, Barak, and his relationships with three+ women is primarily what this book is about and frankly, I didn't care. I loved the bits about Deborah as prophetess and judge. I got a sense Etzioni-Halevy wrote a good book but then an editor said "sex it up" and Deborah no longer triumphed. I am not anti-romance but I want to read more about history and social customs, with writing that takes me to that time in history. I'm glad they seemed to have enjoyed the same sexual positions enjoyed through the ages but I figured that was true anyway and writing about it just a few times would have made it abundantly clear. It is also never explained where they get the water from - it just appears. This is possibly a true test of good historical fiction about ancient times, explanation on delivery of water. :)
Fortunately, its a library book and I give it back tomorrow.
I knew after about 16 pages I was in trouble when "tremble" was used about 47 times. Everything was trembling. But then, it got more into history for a while but then! it turns out Deborah isn't even the main character. A warrior, Barak, and his relationships with three+ women is primarily what this book is about and frankly, I didn't care. I loved the bits about Deborah as prophetess and judge. I got a sense Etzioni-Halevy wrote a good book but then an editor said "sex it up" and Deborah no longer triumphed. I am not anti-romance but I want to read more about history and social customs, with writing that takes me to that time in history. I'm glad they seemed to have enjoyed the same sexual positions enjoyed through the ages but I figured that was true anyway and writing about it just a few times would have made it abundantly clear. It is also never explained where they get the water from - it just appears. This is possibly a true test of good historical fiction about ancient times, explanation on delivery of water. :)
Fortunately, its a library book and I give it back tomorrow.
Three women, each from different worlds, have their lives thrown into turmoil by the Israelite warrior Barak.
Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel, offers him her body if he will take command of the Israelite warriors and defeat the Canaanites. When he does these things â she gives what she promised and falls for him.
Naava is a Canaanite princess â but not your traditional one. She is the daughter of the king and a woman he kept as a slave. She has worked as a slave her entire life. When Barak takes the castle and takes her as one of his captives he doesn't know of her royal status. He takes her as one of his many lovers and Naava falls hard for him.
Asherah is also a Canaanite princess. She is beautiful and smart and married to the leader of the Canaanite warriors. Like her sister, Barak takes her as one of his captives and decides he is going to make her his wife. Unlike her sister, she does not fall for Barak but instead wants revenge for the loss of her husband.
The characters in the book were a mix of historical and fictional, but the way they are represented and described, you would never know which are which. Each character has a well developed back story, personality, desires, life. You develop an attachment to the characters and want what they want (I was especially attached to Asherah's story, right from the beginning). I didn't know anything about this period in time or the people in this book and like usual I went outside the text to find some background information. Interestingly, almost everything I found (from biblical texts as well as general internet searches) was included in the book. The author did an amazing job of keeping the book true to what is known to have happened while filling in the gaps history left behind.
These women are strong women. Each one faces hardships, tests of character, moral decisions â like each of us face every day. Even though these events took place a very long time ago â they are still relevant to today. Women still face similar hardship and can still respond in similar ways.
I have never been to the part of the world where this story is set, but the author takes careful time to describe it and it feels now like I have been there. It is so real to me and beautiful.
Eva Etzioni-Halevy has 2 other books about strong biblical women out currently and is working on a fourth.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel, offers him her body if he will take command of the Israelite warriors and defeat the Canaanites. When he does these things â she gives what she promised and falls for him.
Naava is a Canaanite princess â but not your traditional one. She is the daughter of the king and a woman he kept as a slave. She has worked as a slave her entire life. When Barak takes the castle and takes her as one of his captives he doesn't know of her royal status. He takes her as one of his many lovers and Naava falls hard for him.
Asherah is also a Canaanite princess. She is beautiful and smart and married to the leader of the Canaanite warriors. Like her sister, Barak takes her as one of his captives and decides he is going to make her his wife. Unlike her sister, she does not fall for Barak but instead wants revenge for the loss of her husband.
The characters in the book were a mix of historical and fictional, but the way they are represented and described, you would never know which are which. Each character has a well developed back story, personality, desires, life. You develop an attachment to the characters and want what they want (I was especially attached to Asherah's story, right from the beginning). I didn't know anything about this period in time or the people in this book and like usual I went outside the text to find some background information. Interestingly, almost everything I found (from biblical texts as well as general internet searches) was included in the book. The author did an amazing job of keeping the book true to what is known to have happened while filling in the gaps history left behind.
These women are strong women. Each one faces hardships, tests of character, moral decisions â like each of us face every day. Even though these events took place a very long time ago â they are still relevant to today. Women still face similar hardship and can still respond in similar ways.
I have never been to the part of the world where this story is set, but the author takes careful time to describe it and it feels now like I have been there. It is so real to me and beautiful.
Eva Etzioni-Halevy has 2 other books about strong biblical women out currently and is working on a fourth.
4.5 out of 5 stars
the triumph of Deborah tells the story of the three women famous from the bible, who must find their own paths in times of trouble. It is a great read as it is not heavily religious and everyone can understand it. One of the best things about this book is the it protrays the true bible teachings. It is very nicely written without the preachy feeling. Their is no judgement and the focus is straight to the truth. It is heavily informative in the historical details that most people dont know about. This book describes the characters and their feelings straight to a point.
I have enjoyed this book very much and I think it is very well written. I recommend this books to everyone who likes romance and to those who like biblical or historical based fiction.
I have enjoyed this book very much and I think it is very well written. I recommend this books to everyone who likes romance and to those who like biblical or historical based fiction.
