Review: Biblical fiction at its best!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 5, 2013
This was a captivating story! Javan a officer in the Israelite army has fought for years with Jephthah the leader of the army fighting to destroy the Ammonites who have been attacking farms in Gilead, killing families or taking them prisoner to sacrifice to their god Molech. When they reach the city of Minnith it is their final battle, once the city is conquered the army is allowed to search the houses for treasure and they must kill or enslave the people. Israelite soldiers can marry slaves if they follow the law, the woman must be a virgin, he must shave her head and not touch her for a month once he has declared his intention to the village leaders.When Javan sees Taleh he is instantly in love and once he determines that she is pure he tells her to tell anyone who asks that she belongs to him. Taleh cannot abide the murder of babies to sacrifice to Molech she has refused to attend the ceremonies and her mother has told her that Molech will not save them from the Israelites if everyone does not support the sacrifices. When the city is overrun with Israel soldiers Taleh hides in her home and is discovered by Javan and taken as a slave. Taleh does not know what will happen to her in Gilead but at least she is alive.Javan and Taleh return to his home to rebuild his farm they work together and in spite of difficulties they begin to understand each other. Taleh is starting to believe in the law of Israel, no one is killed to appease this God and no babies are sacrificed, she can live with that. But her one worry is that she cannot conceive and the thought of Javan taking another wife is terrifying.This was a wonderful story, well written and very touching. The characters are real and you can believe their troubles and problems are also real. I enjoyed this book and have already read the sequel "His Brothers Wife" a wonderful author.