| Title | : | Miriam (Treasures of the Nile, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1601426011 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781601426017 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 374 |
| Publication | : | First published March 15, 2016 |
But I am neither. I am simply a watcher of Israel
and the messenger of El Shaddai.
When He speaks to me in dreams, I interpret. When He whispers a melody, I sing.
At eighty-six, Miriam had devoted her entire life to loving El Shaddai and serving His people as both midwife and messenger. Yet when her brother Moses returns to Egypt from exile, he brings a disruptive message. God has a new name – Yahweh – and has declared a radical deliverance for the Israelites.
Miriam and her beloved family face an impossible choice: cling to familiar bondage or embrace uncharted freedom at an unimaginable cost. Even if the Hebrews survive the plagues set to turn the Nile to blood and unleash a maelstrom of frogs and locusts, can they weather the resulting fury of the Pharaoh?
Enter an exotic land where a cruel Pharaoh reigns, pagan priests wield black arts, and the Israelites cry out to a God they only think they know.
Miriam (Treasures of the Nile, #2) Reviews
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In Miriam Mesu Andrews has created a gripping, well-researched novel that is a continuation of the story begun in The Pharaoh’s Daughter. After falling in love with Mesu’s writing in that novel, I opened Miriam with great anticipation. Written in a dramatic yet realistic style, this story captured me from the very first page. Mesu has taken great care in staying true to the Biblical text, while fleshing out parts of the story that are not touched on in scripture. I thought it was an interesting decision to have the story primarily from Miriam’s perspective, and a couple of other characters, but not Moses himself. I think it really allows the reader to imagine how they would have responded to the message that Moses brought the captive people in Egypt.
I was continually impressed by the realism of Miriam and the other characters. Since the events in book one, Miriam has aged and become a beloved prophetess and healer of her people. She is used to this role, as well as used to hearing God speak to her directly. Upon the arrival of Moses, she begins to doubt this role, and her reactions are very genuine and realistic. She doesn’t respond meekly, but rather questions God and presents insecurities in a very human way. I think it gave a lot of nuance to her character, as well as providing encouragement to the reader that everyone has seasons that are filled with more doubt than at other times. It just made her character that much more relatable.
Another key character, Eleazar, has this quality of realness to him as well. Despite being a slave, he is also a soldier and warrior, who once fought in battles, but now protects Pharaoh’s second son, Rameses. He is very stubborn and resistant to change, particularly the commands of a God that he doesn’t know or understand. As Miriam’s nephew, he is respectful of her faith, but doesn’t agree with it. He provides the perspective of a non-believer, slow to believe in contrast to Miriam’s deep, abiding faith. Having these two conflicting perspectives adds a great depth to the story that otherwise wouldn’t have been there if the story only came from Miriam’s point of view.
While the plot is not surprising to readers familiar with the Biblical story, it was surprisingly suspenseful! I could feel the tension of the Egyptian throne room, and the danger that the Hebrews faced every day was nearly palpable at times. Every time Moses and Aaron approached Pharaoh on his throne, I feared for them, even though I knew exactly how Pharaoh was going to respond. In contrast to that, there were the lovely scenes in Miriam’s home, where her family gathered for their meals and times of fellowship. Those scenes just had a very warm quality to them. I realized that there were certain aspects of the story that I had never really thought about in earnest – the Passover scene had a strong, emotional impact on me; I had never really imagined being “passed over” but knowing that your neighbors were not. Throughout the whole story, the descriptions enveloped me fully into whatever scenes I was reading. Both the historical details and the humanness of the characters’ experiences made each moment compelling and readable.
I came away from reading Miriam with a renewed desire to dig into the account found in scripture, which I think is the best indicator of a well-done Biblical fiction novel. I don’t always react that way when I read a novel that tells a story found in the Bible, so the fact that I’ve done that with each novel of Mesu’s that I’ve read says a lot. She is one of my favorite authors in this genre. I’m hoping the Mesu comes back and visits the story of Joshua, who plays a smaller role in Miriam. I know in her hands it would be authentic, well-researched and encouraging, just like Miriam and The Pharaoh’s Daughter. Though you don’t have to read The Pharaoh’s Daughter to enjoy Miriam, definitely do give them both a read. I highly recommend Miriam for fans of historical fiction, especially set during the Biblical times. -
Miriam was a delight as a child in The Pharaoh's Daughter. In the novel named after her, Miriam is 86 years old and a prophetess. Moses returns to Goshen after spending 40 years away. He returns with a message from Yahweh and Miriam is more than a little jealous and angry about no longer having visions from God.
I loved that the author painted a picture easy to visualize of what life was like for Hebrews during this time period. As for characters, Miriam's nephew Eleazar was one of my favorites. I also adored Sattar, Moses' faithful dog that loved Miriam as well.
I did grow weary of Miriam's attitude and behavior. While it was perhaps portrayed realistically, I would have liked to have seen her adapt to her new place in God's will more quickly. And wouldn't we all like to adapt more quickly to God's will for us?
Overall, I enjoyed the novel and look forward to reading others by the author. -
DNF.
Can't do it.
Things just went even further down hill after the hog fat. :) -
{Review originally posted to Christian Shelf-Esteem
http://wp.me/p4ExQk-1zc}
It’s common to read reviews in which the reviewer boasts of how quickly they’ve read the book or how impossible it was to put down. However, I believe some books are meant to be read slowly so the gravity of the events and the significance of the author’s message can penetrate our thoughts — such was the case with Miriam. Over the course of her previous 5 novels, Mesu Andrews has built a reputation of letting her love for teaching God’s Word spill over into her works of biblical fiction. Therefore, when I sat down to read Miriam I was prepared with post-it flags and a copy of the Bible. Call me a book nerd or bible geek, but in doing so, I’ve gained rich satisfaction from this novel and many points to ponder for days to come.
I’ll begin my praise by focusing on the main character of the story, Miriam. If you’ve read The Pharaoh’s Daughter, and I hope you have, you’ll recognize how Mesu maintains a consistent characterization of Miriam as a gentle and caring woman who places the needs of others before her own. We learn that in the time period between the first and second books, Miriam (who is now eighty-six years old) has become a trusted midwife/healer as well as a prophetess for Israel. My heart warmed to this elderly protagonist because her story brought to mind the many seasons of ministry we will experience. I found her reactions to change and her twinge of jealousy towards God’s call on others to be very… human.
With Miriam, I perceived subtle changes in Mesu’s writing as compared to her previous novels. Her scenes, which have always been ladened with rich historical details, felt even warmer — as if I’d been invited into Miriam’s actual longhouse versus simply picturing it in my mind. Additionally, she has ramped up the level of suspense! Even knowing that Mesu would not depart from scripture, I remained on the edge of my seat as Pharoah’s army came bearing down on the Hebrews. Finally, it seemed to me that love (familial and romantic) took a more central role in this story.
I could go on and on, but I fear I may give away too much. Read this book and remember my advice — some books are meant to be read slowly. Let the message seep in as you enjoy another fabulous biblical fiction novel by Mesu Andrews!
I received this book from the author for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” -
Historically well researched and Biblically based, Mesu Andrews brings to life the time period from when Moses returns from self-imposed exile through the Exodus and crossing of the Red Sea. What made this book different is it is told from Miriam's perspective. Miriam is the sister of Aaron and Moses. While Moses was in exile, Miriam became a prophetess; but now that Moses has returned, Miriam feels that Yahweh no longer speaks to her. She longs for the return of El Shaddai and the closeness she felt with God.
I found looking at this Biblical period from Miriam's perspective was quite different as most other Biblical fiction books of this period describe it from Moses' viewpoint. It was quite interesting seeing it through a woman's eyes and sharing her feelings during the plagues and preparation to leave Egypt. I loved watching her find a different relationship with Yahweh than what she had with the God she called El Shaddai.
Andrews has penned a great series covering the Biblical Time period of Moses' birth to the beginning of the Exodus. Highly recommended. -
If you want to experience the 10 plagues and Israel's exodus from Egypt like never before, you need to read this book! I cannot remember when a Biblical fiction book has ever kept me so on the edge of my seat, wanting to see what happens (even though we know the ending). This was my first Biblical suspense. :-)
Mesu Andrews delivered a well researched, emotional and suspenseful intriguing story on Israel's captivity, God's deliverance through the 10 plagues and Israel's exodus from Egypt. So, I've grew up with this story and read it numerous times in my life, but never took time to really think how life was for God's people. Mesu did a great job of taking me to Egypt and experiencing life as they would have experienced it - and it wasn't always pretty.
Reading from Miriam's POV was a fresh and interesting take. You sometimes forget the smaller (yet important) characters in the Bible, but Mesu did a great job of bringing Miriam to life. It was also refreshing to see that these characters also dealt with similar issues we do in our relationship with God - jealousy, frustration, not understanding why God does things - not sure why I think the Biblical characters would have been exempt from these emotions.
I would definitely recommend this to fans of Biblical fiction. -
by Andrea Renee Cox
Miriam took me into the era of Israel's slavery to Egypt. It was very interesting to get a glimpse of what it could have been like to live through the plagues that preceded Yahweh leading His people (Israel) to freedom. Author Mesu Andrews really made the setting and events come alive in a fresh way to me, which I'm certain will give me a new perspective the next time I read Exodus.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you, Blogging for Books. -
I need to start off by saying how much I really love this cover. It fits the book so perfectly and is so well done. Second, Mesu Andrews has become such a strong voice in biblical fiction, not only for her talent of writing, but her incredible research of scripture and other historical documents which paint such a vivid picture of the era these stories take place. Ancient Egypt fascinates me already, so getting the chance to immerse myself more through the biblical stories?
If you enjoy reading biblical fiction, I hope you have had the chance to read Mesu Andrews’ novels. She pens engaging stories and captivating characters, bringing new depth to famous biblical stories many of us already love. Miriam was no different.
I loved seeing Moses after his time in the desert (if you have a chance, I recommend reading Pharaoh’s Daughter) and I was really encouraged by how Andrews portrayed Miriam. While we don’t have the exact details, I think this was done very well and a great reminder of the “greats” we know from the Bible were human too.
On a historical angle, this book is fascinating. It shows how life was, how the plagues affected not only the Egyptians, but also for the first few, the Hebrews. It can be easy to read through this story in scripture and forget how terrible it all really was and that millions of Egyptians suffered because their leader was full of pride and hate.
Bringing to life ancient Egypt, bringing humanity to famous bible people we love and reminding readers of the powerful and holy God we serve, this is another fantastic addition to biblical fiction.
This book also stirred in me the desire to study the Old Testament and Moses’ life deeper. This past Fall, my church started a series on Exodus and it’s been awesome, so this book was perfect timing. (If interested you can find the sermons here!)
What are some of your favorite Bible stories?
(Thank you to Blogging for Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
Originally posted
http://booksandbeverages.org/2016/02/... -
4.5⭐
I loved seeing the continued story of Miriam. Seeing the biblical story of Moses come to life through the eyes of his sister. -
Biblical fiction by Mesu Andrews never fails to send me running for my Bible to find the details she has brought to life! Miriam, in my opinion, is one of Mesu's finest works to date. Not only does she make the reader ponder what it would have really been like to live through slavery to the Egyptians and the ten plagues, but she delves even deeper to the struggles of the human heart to wholeheartedly submit to an unseen God who is infinitely loving and merciful and yet is also sometimes silent, terrifyingly powerful, and maddeningly multi-faceted. I highlighted more thoughts about God in this book than in any non-fiction theology book I've ever read, and I came away feeling that I knew Him a little better than I did before. I know that this is a book I will go back to again and again as it is so full of beautiful, inspiring, and challenging thoughts about God wrapped up in an engaging and awe-inspiring story.
This is an especially appropriate book to read in the weeks preceding Passover and Easter. I know that as I celebrate with my family in a few weeks, I will be remembering Mesu Andrews' vivid descriptions of Miriam and her family as they sacrificed a beloved lamb, lived, wept, and rejoiced through that very first Passing Over.
I will be sharing my blog post review of this book on its launch day, March 15th, at Mommynificent.com, where we will also be having a Miriam scavenger hunt blog hop with lots of prizes including books and a Kindle Fire!
I received this book from the author for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. -
I really liked Miriam, the second book of the Treasures of the Nile series. Mesu Andrews does a wonderful job of making Biblical characters come alive. I have read about Miriam in Exodus many times, but she was always a two-dimensional person. Andrews adds the third dimension for me.
Mesu Andrews uses the Bible itself as her primary source, but also studies historical sources for details about food, dress, customs of Egypt, etc. Then when she adds in her imaginings of how people would have felt, loved, lived, and mourned, it makes for a fascinating read. In her note to the reader at the beginning of the book, Andrews says that she wants her reader to compare her fiction to the truth of God's Word, and she gave me just such a desire. That to me is good Christian fiction!
Miriam is such a passionate, gifted woman. We first meet her in the pages of Scripture as Moses' older sister, sent to watch her baby brother when his parents launch him into the Nile in a basket, in order to save his life. When she grew up she was a midwife, skilled with herbs and plants and knowledge of their healing properties. She was also a prophetess of El Shaddai and a leader among the Israelites, especially the women. Miriam was also a worship leader and song leader. What an amazing woman and a godly example for all believers.
I'm sure you will enjoy this book as I did, as well as the first book in the series, The Pharaoh's Daughter. I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. -
If you've ever wanted to step back in time and see what it was like to live in the time of the Bible, you've got to read Mesu Andrews' books -- any of them. I've read most and loved each of them. But I will let you in on a poorly-kept secret: each one is better than the last.
I know, I'm gushing, but I can't decide which elements make her books so real. Is it the in-depth character development -- not only of the main character but secondary characters, as well. Or is the richly detailed settings? When I read Miriam, I felt the stinging sand, the difference between the rough homespun that the Israelites wore and could almost see the glory and wealth of Pharaoh's palace. Or is it Mesu's beautiful command of language? Here's some of my favorite quotes:
I need a God I can’t explain to do the things I know are impossible.
And:
Yahweh is more interested in you knowing Him than pleasing yourself—or even pleasing others.
Another favorite:
Many gods have been created by men, but only one God created all men.
If any of these speak to your heart, this book will, too.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves the stories of the Bible and wonders, "what if."
***
I received this book from the author for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” -
This book was, plain and simple, amazing! I loved how eye-opening this novel made the story of Exodus and how it came alive to me in an entirely new way!
Though I wasn't expecting a second main character, Eleazar became one of my favorite character's in MIRIAM. He was very easy to relate too concerning his doubts and questions about faith.
When it had came to the plagues, it was WOW! Mesu did a fantastic job of bringing the Bible to life! I hadn't thought of the fear the Israelites might have felt and the uncertainty as well as the noise (or no noise) they might have heard.
Overall, this book well surpassed my expectations and definitely recommend it to those who love Biblical fiction as well as to those looking to see the Exodus story with new eyes! -
This is a beautifully written story of Miriam, the sister to Moses and Aaron. It is vivid and real and the characters are well developed. Sometimes they are just plain annoying but that makes them more endearing. Miriam's struggle with her faith is real as she wonders why God has spoken to Moses and not to her. The account of the plagues are incredible and this book brings the story of the Exodus to life.
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Loved the book as it made me like Miriam whereas before I didn’t! Just interesting about being a prophetess and sister to Moses during the exodus period of ancient Israel’s history! Was flagging in interest; sometimes I couldn’t put it down then other times it was boring! Read THE PHARAOHS DAUGHTER before this as it’s the predecessor in this stellar series!
Rating: 5 out of 10 stars
Recommend for older teens due to sexual threats and physical abuse of slaves
Warning: none -
This was an a great novel. I thoroughly enjoyed this more than I did
The Pharaoh's Daughter. I was more invested in the characters this time. The writing as usual is phenomenal with Mesu Andrews and the character development was amazing. The use of scripture is something I always enjoy in Mesu's novels because they keep me focused on scripture as I read.
Miriam was the main protagonist of the story, but we also got the POV of other characters. I enjoyed seeing how Miriam was before Moses returned as the "chosen" one. Seeing how she may have felt as a sister and feeling left out was interesting. I enjoyed the "what if" factor and how it worked well with what we know in scripture concerning her.
Aaron was the most intriguing because Mesu made him a sort of "yes man" husband which speaks to his later action in allowing the Israelites to act out of godly character. I thought he was absolutely whinny and annoying.
Moses was great. Seeing his moments of weakness and strength was so fun. I liked his character more in this book than in book one.
Eleazar, the son of Aaron, was frustrating at first, but seeing his growth as a wounded man and his relationship with God was amazing. Taliah was a sassy one and I adored her. She was a great match for Eleazar. I loved how their romance went.
Prince Ram pissed me off because he didn't seem like a mean or ignorant person, but because of the rules he had to portray to be. That ending when he spoke to Eleazar made me cry for him. Pharaoh was just a pig-headed stubborn man trying to control everything and failing to do so.
Overall, this was a great novel and I would definitely recommend it. -
This book is fictional but based on the Bible account of God freeing His people. The author put feelings and speech into the Biblical account with great skill. I was just pleased to read a work of fiction that didn’t desecrate the account. It worked so well that someone who hadn’t read Exodus could use the story as a way into the Bible.
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That reveal about Hoshea though.
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It's refreshing to read a novel where the heroine is over 80-years-old. You just don't find that anymore.
Miriam is my first attempt at reading a Mesu Andrews novel and I must say that I'm impressed with the quality of her writing style. Solid prose, tight technique, perhaps a little long and wandering on the plot at times, but otherwise a very stable novelist in the realm of biblical fiction. It is a little bit of a struggle to follow the honorifics of the era: abba and ima, saba and savta, doda and dohd. One person will call Amram Abba while another will call him Saba, and that simply means one person calls him father and the other calls him grandfather. It took some getting used to and there were times when I almost, very nearly, got confused, just as an FYI to future readers.
The character development was mostly tight and concise. I loved Miriam from the very beginning, although I did feel as thought perhaps she had a little more power than she would have held in reality? Especially when it came to pushing and prodding Moses, who I also liked. Her take on Aaron was interesting, that he was something of a submissive husband whose strong-willed wife Elishiba ran roughshod over him. That was different. Loved Hoshea, the son of Nun. If you know your Scripture, you know who he becomes, christened a different name by Moses. Eleazer, Miriam's nephew and one of the leading characters (the slave commander to Price Ram, Ramesses' second Firstborn) intrigued me, more so because I hadn't read the first book in the series so I didn't know his backstory of belief to unbelief and then back again. He's a solid, male character who I rather wish had been respected more by the females in his life.
Speaking of which . . . the female characters. I don't like it, but I know that a lot of readers don't seem to mind the lack of feminine gentility in heroines nowadays. Taliah, one of the lead female characters who eventually marries Eleazer, is just such a woman. I highly doubt that a female would have been entrusted with the education of male students, on the one hand. And on the other, it irked me how Miriam was always correcting Eleazer for upsetting Taliah but never, ever corrected or chastised Taliah for her bad manners and distasteful temper. She was little better than a spoiled child and everyone was remarking things like, "Awwwww, how high-spirited she is, how intellectual and smart." And the miscommunication between Eleazer and Taliah was too much, far too much. Make of it what you will, Miriam has one of those heroines that is becoming painfully more prevalent in Christian fiction. This isn't even a romance novel and there she is.
However, Taliah aside, I'm still rating Miriam 5 stars because I appreciate the quality of her writing, the obvious depths of research that went into the novel, and her ability to transport the reader to the time of the Israelites in Egypt. Her dialogue fit, the setting fit, everything mixed together well. It hardly mattered that I found the romance, both romances actually, to be of little importance and no furtherance to the plot because the story itself, otherwise, was so good.
Now I would love to see a novel about Hoshea the way that Mesu Andrews has written him, new name and all, because I think that would be a story definitely worth reading.
Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. -
I enjoyed living through the plagues of Egypt through the eyes of Miriam. It made me think about each one and how it would have felt to experience it.
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This was a fascinating read about the 10 plagues against Egypt when God set His people free, told mostly from the point of view of Miriam. It provides wonderful insights to the history and background of that event. Andrews' knowledge of the Bible is impressive, and it's so interesting to see how to uses that to weave tiny details from the Bible, like the meaning of a name, into the action and events of the story.
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This is an excellent series! Clearly ample research went into this fictional rendition of the Exodus. As I’ve been studying the Exodus in scripture while reading this, I found so much of the fictional story helpful to understanding and opening my eyes to what’s really in the Word. It also brought the long-known event to colorful life with the possibilities of what it might’ve
been like for Miriam and her family during the Exodus of God’s chosen people from slavery. -
This book takes my breath away. Miriam is a Hebrew prophetess and midwife, and she hears El Shaddai speak to her in her dreams. The Israelites have been captives of Egypt for over four hundred years, and it's time they came home.
Eleazar is the body guard for Prince Ram, and even though he is a Hebrew, he is loyal to his prince. Their friendship belies the fact that they should be enemies.
Taliah is a governess for one of the Pharaoh's sons and lives in the palace. Her true passion is educating children.
Kopshef is the crown prince who has little control of his temper and less ability in military tactics.
Ramesses is the Pharaoh, and he plays favorites among his sons. He also resents the Hebrews and takes every complaint as a personal affront.
Aaron is Miriam's brother and Eleazar's father. His wife favors her older two sons over her younger two. Eleazar is the third son and Ithamar is the youngest, and a scribe in the Pharaoh's palace.
Moses has been living in Midian tending the flocks of his father-in-law, Jethro. He sees a bush burning in the field and goes to investigate it, only to hear Yahweh speak to him.
Hur is Miriam's best friend from long ago, he'd married another young girl, but now he's come back to Miriam and wants to marry her.
These are some of the major players in Mesu Andrews' book, Miriam.
While Exodus gives us an account of the Israelites in Egypt and their mistreatment by the Egyptians, Mesu puts flesh on the people and makes them breathe new life. When Moses brings the ten plagues, Mesu paints a picture for our minds of what it was like to live through those plagues. When the Israelites are finally allowed to leave Egypt, Mesu illuminates how Yahweh's glory is revealed by His own hand. When Miriam struggles with El Shaddai's voice leaving her, Mesu shows us that our own struggles are not something new, but they are as old as time. These are just a few of the reasons I LOVE this book.
This is a five star, two thumbs up book, with a meal eaten in haste because you are about to be evicted from your home of over four hundred years.
My thanks to Waterbrook Press for allowing me to read and review this book. -
Using Miriam as the main character and including others who were barely mentioned, this is a very interesting new take on the story of the Israelites and their Exodus from Egypt.
I did have an issue with language use seeming too modern and complex at times. The characterization of Miriam as a prophetess with almost a running conversation with "her" El-Shaddai (God) who becomes resentful, jealous, and petty when she feels supplanted by her returning younger brother, was believable but difficult to reconcile. A lesser issue was the one-dimensional nature of some secondary and tertiary characters.
When Moses returns he is a veritable stranger to her, and brings some revelations that seem a bit radical to Miriam (such as a new name for her El-Shaddai), but to the reader he seems very real and very human. This aspect of the story was handled so well by the author, that Moses does not take over the story. It remains firmly Miriam's.
The sub-plot of Miriam's nephew Eleazar, a royal guard, and Taliah, a young woman who comes under his protection, added interest and another perspective to the story. It is through Eleazar that the reader sees the engrained, callous cruelty of the Egyptian court along with some of the reactions and repercussions of Moses' audiences and the ten plagues.
As a fleshed-out imagining of the Exodus, this is an interesting read. As a story of an older woman struggling to come to terms with changes that are beyond her control, and the loss of a presence she took for granted in her life, it is possibly even more interesting. Recommended for those who enjoy biblical retellings, especially those that focus on the less well-known participants in the story.
This review refers to an Advance Reading Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. -
I am very much a fan of Biblical Fiction. The tricky thing is finding *good* Biblical fiction that is actually Biblical. I found “Miriam” to fit just this description. I thoroughly enjoyed this rich story and was very impressed with all the Biblical research Mesu seamlessly wove into it. Truly, it was spectacular.
Mesu brought new light to the familiar Bible account, and had me enraptured the whole time right up until the very end. Even though I know how the Bible account goes, I was still on the edge of my seat as I read, and that expresses great God-given talent in the author.
There were parts that had me smiling, laughing, crying, and one point I had goosebumps! There were so many heart-touching moments and things that really made you think.
And the characters were done so well. I loved Miriam – she was so real. In her faith, in her doubts, in her daily life. Exceptionally well done! And I really loved Eleazar too. He was a great character, and though he has his issues (who doesn’t?!), I so very much enjoyed his character. He was quiet, and maybe a bit angry at times (but that seems to be “my type” because nearly every character I love is that way..hmmm…), but his heart was good and still reachable in the end.
Each of the plagues were really well-written too, and made my skin crawl at the horrid-ness of them. And the sadness that Pharaoh wouldn’t relent, even for his children.
I underlined so many sections of this book because it was full of meaningful quotes and lessons. It was my desire to share them here, but there are SO many that you’ll just have to read the book for yourself to discover all of its gems. :) -
The time of the Exodus comes to life...
Another moving and very powerful story from one of the best names in Biblical fiction. Miriam opens up the world of the Exodus and helps you dig deep down into yourself and, even more so, into the Bible.
Mesu Andrews paints such vivid word pictures that all five senses are engaged through the imagination. Her depictions of life in ancient times, Egypt in this book, are just so real. And let me tell you, the plaques were described to well and so colorfully that, not only did I mentally visualize them, but I also just about smelled the dead fish and frogs. Speaking of the plagues, I really liked how she handled them, some science but the miraculousness of them is not hidden or denied.
One of the things I love best about Mesu Andrews writing is that she takes these Biblical heroes off the pedestals we've put them on. They are people, just like us, they made the same mistakes people do today. In Miriam the title character has several struggles, one of which is that she feels replaced and unimportant when God chooses to reveal His salvation of the Hebrews through her little brother, Moses, instead of her. She has been El Shaddai's prophetess for decades, when quite suddenly He has a new name and nothing is the same, so she feels and she feels angry. Gosh, has that ever happened to any of us? Yeah, totally a rhetorical question there.
On the whole, I was totally impressed by Miriam and can't recommend Mesu Andrews' new Treasurer's Of The Nile series enough.
(I received a copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.) -
If you’ve read any of Mesu Andrews books then you know her gift for making Biblical stories and times come alive through in depth character development and thorough research on the life and times. If you haven’t read any of Andrews books I highly recommend them. As a Biblical Fiction author, she rates up there with Francine Rivers and that’s about as high of a compliment as I can pay.
Miriam is book 2 in the Treasures of the Nile series. The story follows Moses’ sister and prophetess of Israel, Miriam. I hadn’t thought much about Miriam’s role in this part of the Old Testament narrative. I had only ever really thought of her as Moses’ big sister who looked out for him as a baby. I love how Andrews brings to life this feisty, faithful silver haired woman. Miriam is a role model and a reminder that our kingdom purpose doesn’t expire when we retire.
The depiction of the plagues was on point as well. It’s crazy how you can read a story your whole life and never really understand the depth of it. Andrews’ description of the plagues is so intense and you really see how the affected the people, both Israelite and Egyptian. This depiction makes Pharaoh’s deception and hard heart all that much more apprehensible and the miracle of the Exodus that much more miraculous.
If you enjoy Biblical Fiction, the works of Mesu Andrews are a must read and Miriam is among her best.
I received this book from the author for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. -
In my opinion, the best part of Biblical fiction is experiencing the stories of the Bible as though we were there, reading the events as though hearing them from a close friend. Mesu's Miriam brings the Biblical plagues and the Israelites' departure from Egypt into vivid focus, including the horrifying results of plagues which are not expanded upon in the Bible. Through the eyes of Miriam and her nephew Eleazar, the reader is able to see the full destruction of Egypt and the mighty hand of Yahweh.
For me, Miriam as not as enjoyable as The Pharaoh's Daughter. This story follows Biblical text far closer then it's predecessor, leaving the reader with fewer questions as to how it was going to end. This is not to say that there were no surprises, Mesu includes enough characters who are not mentioned in the Bible to keep the reader guessing up until near the very end.
What makes Miriam stand out however is themes of love and obedience. The main characters constantly struggled with balancing their love for others with obedience to their masters. Tied into these themes is the concept of trust and the consequences of placing it in the wrong things.
Miriam is a rich novel, full of strong themes and complex characters. It is one I am grateful to add to my Biblical fiction library and will be sharing with my friends.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher exchange for an honest review.
