Speechless! First book Ive had by Mesu Andrew’s and I can’t wait to get another! This is the third book in the series and I would like to thank Goodreads for an exchange for a copy for an honest review, however I would like to read the first two books as well in the future as well!

Mesu Andrews is a very talented author and storyteller and never fails to draw me into her stories and make me care about the characters and want to know what happens to them. This book was no different. I loved Shulle and Manasseh and was very invested in them from very early in the book. However, that was a problem in this book because absolutely awful things happen to them and then they start doing absolutely awful things themselves. The numerous rapes and underage consensual sex, while not described in detail, were too much for me. The descriptions of pagan rituals, human sacrifices, and cold-blooded murders were horrific. Even what should have been sweet romantic moments were disgusting to me because they were happening between children. There is a nice redemptive, happy-ish, prodigal son-like ending that I had passed over too quickly in my reading of Scripture so I did appreciate learning about that, but the book spent too much time wallowing in the mud with the pigs for my taste. It made me appreciate the way Scripture tells us about people's depravity without giving so many details.

I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book from NetGalley.

Mesu Andrews is one of my favorite biblical fiction authors. This novel did not disappoint! It was a slow-moving emotional tale. The story was beautifully told! Isaiah’s Legacy proves why Mesu Andrew’s is one of leading authors of Christian historical fiction.

I’ll be honest, when I first picked up this book it was really heavy and I had to put it down. I picked it again up a few months later, in the midst of going through an autism diagnosis with my son, and it spoke to my soul. Sometimes a book finds you at just the right time. It didn’t take the heaviness away, but this time it was a heaviness that I knew intimately. Life is heavy. The Bible is heavy in some places. And that’s what Mesu Andrews does so well…she stays true to the facts even when it’s difficult. In this book you are reunited with beloved characters from the previous book, Isaiah’s Daughter and it is a continuation of their beautiful yet completely heartbreaking story.

#BookReview: Isaiah's Legacy (A Novel of Prophets and Kings) by Mesu Andrews

I am new to biblical fiction as this is my third one. But this is my first book by the author and it won’t be my last. Though this can be read as a standalone, I think I want to read the first two in this series. It’s written beautifully and tried to be as true to the Scriptures. It’s interesting to dig deeper into the details of the events. Even if they happened years and years ago, the struggle to choose good over evil is still relevant to this day. It’s emotional. 4 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

5 stars. This was a powerful and intense novel about Manasseh's reign over the king of Judah. Review to come.

Due to being a high school teacher, I have been falling behind on reviews. Here are my initial thoughts.

I am unable to review this book because I haven't finished the first book in the series.

I am a stickler for order and I enjoy reading each book in a series carefully. This is book three of the series by Mesu Andrews.

The time frame given to me by NetGalley was a bit short for me as I am yet to read book two and this book.
I hope in the nearest future, I would be able to properly review this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.

After reading 'Of Fire and Lions' and now this third book, Isaiah's Legacy, in her Prophets and Kings series, I can most certainly say I am a fan of Mesu Andrews.

A rich, vivid piece of storytelling. Again, all I can say is simply magnificent 💖!

My thanks to NetGalley, the publishers WaterBrook and Multnomah and the author for the e-Arc of the book.

This book was published on February 18, 2020.

Isaiah's Legacy, the third installment in the A Novel of Prophets and Kings series by Mesu Andrews, follows in a grand tradition of inspired biblical fiction that enlightens as it carries the reader to Judah for a turbulent ride through the reign of King Manasseh. A thoroughly researched and well crafted novel, but not an easy one to read, it examines a level of spiritual darkness and depravity that is often danced about, implied, but rarely addressed directly. However, these issues are very real and are critical to a true understanding of the evil that gripped King Manasseh's heart until Yahweh broke the chains that bound him and redeemed him in a glorious way.

This novel picks up after the conclusion of Isaiah's Daughter, at the end of King Hezekiah's life, as his son Manasseh prepares and eventually becomes king. We are subject to the conflict of loving certain characters while we hate the evil that works its way into their lives and shackles them apart from the loving God. Shulle had my heart from the very beginning, and my heart broke for her over and over again as she was tricked and manipulated into the sorcery that bound her while masquerading as power. Manasseh's reign of terror against the prophets and Yahwehists is a horror that was foretold, but not any easier to bear as it unfolded. Through it all, Queen Hephzibah can only pray and hope that her previous boy will someday see Truth and turn from darkness. And her abba, the prophet Isaiah, foretells his own demise at the hands of his grandson, knowing that it must be done as Yahweh says to ultimately give Him the glory.

Dear reader, know that Isaiah's Legacy is not a bit of fiction to be undertaken lightly. As Mesu Andrews toiled to bring it forth, so you will toil to digest it. And yet, it is certainly one of the most valuable and eye opening novels I have ever consumed. The understanding that comes from the scripture and the exploration of the spiritual, social, and political turmoil within reveals what is possibly the greatest prodigal story ever told. And if Shulle and Manasseh can be unchained by Yahweh, then nobody is beyond His redemptive love.

I have a lot of thoughts about this book. First of all, it is based on the story of King Manasseh or Judah which can be found twice in the Bible: 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33. It is helpful to take a bit of time to refresh your memory on what Scripture actually says about King Manasseh and his wife Meshullemeth before we get too far into this review. Kings records Manasseh as doing all kinds of evil and only mentions Meshullemeth as the mother of his son Amon who reigned after him. Chronicles recounts the same about Manasseh and Meshullemeth but also adds that Manasseh repented before the end of his life and returned to God. So this is basically all that we know historically and biblically.

Now, Mesu Andrews’s story is that of Meshullemeth. Remember, from Scripture we only know her name as the wife of Manasseh and the mother of Amon. Andrews’s story takes the little we know and turns Shulle into a character that we can care about.

We meet Shulle as a child who is devoted to Yahweh until her evil uncle brings her to Jerusalem to help teach the young King Manasseh. Her uncle manages to convince her to believe in the gods of the other nations and also forces her to do so by using her father as collateral.

The theme of the book is that Shulle must make decisions between the pagan gods and the God of Israel. She is brought up by her uncle to see the God of Israel demanding rules and sacrifices whereas the gods of the pagans are presented to her as offering choices and power. This is an interesting theme as today we see so many people making the choice between God and whatever they have made their idols.

Shulle is torn so much in this book. She is seeing her only option to keep her father safe is to lead her young king away from the God of Israel. She doesn’t feel that she has much of a choice in the matter at all. She knows she is doing something wrong at first, but she is trying to protect the people she loves. This is so analogous to today as so many people make choices they don’t fully believe in because they want to help or protect someone else.

As Shulle begins to see that maybe she made the wrong choice, she is constantly reminded that people will suffer if she reveals the truth. This is using coercion to keep her on the path that her uncle wants, a path to corrupt Judah with pagan gods.

Into this story of Shulle, we see Manasseh. Manasseh is portrayed as a very young king who wants to be greater than his father. In this quest, he is more that ready to turn to others who offer him that possibility of power. Remember, he is YOUNG, only 12 when he becomes the sole king of Judah. He is being led by advisors who want to bring back worship of the pagan gods and he has Shulle who is trying to protect her father by leading Manasseh away from the God of Judah.

This really is a story that brings up so many themes of good versus evil and the ways in which we can be manipulated. Shulle and Manasseh are both too young to truly make their own decisions when they become manipulated and instruments of others. We don’t know if this is what really happened as Scripture is relatively silent about why Manasseh makes the choices he makes, but Andrews’s presents an idea and a story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and the theme of choice that was recurring.

The Old Testament comes alive once again under the pen of Ms. Andrews! This book was probably my favorite of all the ones that she has written. I felt like I had been given an invitation to watch the lives of these characters unfold right in front of me. It was a story of tragedy, love, loss, and most importantly, a story of redemption. It takes place during the last years of King Hezekiah's reign. He was a good king and it looked like his son Manasseh would be as well. However, Manasseh turned out to be one of the cruelest kings in Israel's history. But his story doesn't end with his reign of terror and all his godless deeds. God's redemption, love, and mercy is poured out on a man who didn't deserve it- but who of us does? This was indeed a hard book to read- it overwhelmed me and made me feel all the emotions. Many times I had to put it down and come back to it later because it was so dark. But light came! The historical detail, the development of the characters, and the flow of the story were incredible. Ms. Andrews is truly a master storyteller!
Thank you NetGalley and Waterbrook Press for providing me an ARC of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

Classic Mesu Andrews. Excellent biblical fiction. Well written. Well developed characters. Believable. Intriguing story line. Experience this novel yourself. You will not be disappointed. Five stars.

I have loved every books I have read by Mesu Andrews. She brings the Bible to life. I always find myself reading the actual story in the Bible afterward to determine what was fact and what was fiction. She has made me fall in love with Biblical Fiction as a genre!

Isaiah’s Legacy is based on King Manasseh’s story in the Bible. This is my first time reading a Biblical fiction novel so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect... so here are my thoughts!

I’m going to be honest. This was not an easy book to read. In fact, I really struggled reading it. Not because of the writing but because of Manasseh’s story. But before I begin my review, I’ll note that I barely read the synopsis so I didn’t fully realize what the story was about until I had begun it. But let’s talk about it.

I like that the author tells you up front before the book even begins that it’s going to be dark and overwhelming at times. She gives you a heads up to prepare yourself. She also reminds us to focus on God’s promises throughout and we’ll reach the light of the story.
Soon after the book had begun, darkness enters. Sickening evil and darkness. This time in the Bible, during King Manasseh’s reign and what sins he encouraged, is shown explicitly. For 70% of the book, it was really hard for me to read from the point of view of either Manasseh or Shulle. There were definitely times that made me uncomfortable and uneasy, times when the darkness was overwhelming and hard to read about. It definitely brought this story to life in a vivid way.

I sympathized so much for Zibah. Actually, for most of the book, she was the character who encouraged me to keep reading. Her faith, even when things looked so hopeless, inspired me greatly.

Around the 70% mark, it became easier to read. There was more hope as Shulle began to doubt the lies she had always believed and when she finally did turn to the only One true, God, things were looking much brighter. Manasseh’s redemption story is so powerful and inspiring!! I think I’ve overlooked it before but I never will again. It shows God is faithful to His promises and He can turn anyone around and change them completely.

Now I will say, this book is most definitely for older, adult audiences. There is mature content and most of it is quite detailed (a little more detailed than I would have liked in areas, mostly regarding marriage stuff if you know what I mean.) I would recommend 18+.

Mesu Andrews brought this incredible Bible story to life and she truly did an amazing job! I’m sure this wasn’t an easy story to write but she did it well.

*I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Good historical novel capturing the reign of King Manasseh in the days of the Old Testament. The story was good, but the writing itself left something to be desired. Also, the switch from first person with Shulle to third person in Zibah was confusing and didn't get any better. It made the novel feel as if it hadn't quite decided on one perspective or another. I liked the intrigue from seeing Shulle's tricks in her perspective and Zibah trying to understand what's going on from her own.

"Isaiah's Legacy" is a wonderful historical fiction novel of the life of Israel's most evil king Manasseh. and his wife Meshullemeth. Prophet Isaiah is Manasseh's grandfather and is central to the book and his influence is felt throughout the book. The author places bible passages at the beginning of each chapter to reference Isaiah's prophecies and other events that took place during the time period this book is set in.

The book is based on the accounts of 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33, however the author takes creative liberty and weaves a story that is hard to put down. Manasseh in this novel is portrayed as an autistic individual, one of the author's creative liberties and Meshullemeth is brought into his life at a young age as she has experience in her life that is useful in helping Manasseh navigate the world as her father is also autistic.

In the beginning of the book, author Mesu Andrews indicates which characters are real and which are imagined. The story is believable and is an imagining of how Manasseh had his downfall and portrays his redemption while imprisoned by the Assyrians. For those that enjoy reading historical Christian fiction, this is a must read in this genre.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher WaterBrook & Multnomah for the opportunity to read this ARC. The receipt of this ARC did not influence my review in any way.

Wow. Ok, just wow.

Guys, Mesu Andrews is officially one of my fav authors ever. I'm not kidding or saying this lightly. I seldomly speak of fav authors, but I have no words to describe how I feel after finishing the Prophets and Kings series.

I wanted to make a review of book one a couple of days ago, but I just had to see how Mesu was going to wrap up everything before giving my verdict 😂 .

This book has made me love and see the Bible in a COMPLETELY different way. We sometimes forget Bible characters were also humans with emotions and lives outside of what little we know about them, that the things God asked for them were not easier for them than for anyone of us.

Where to even start with this review 😂 ?

This book is definitely not for the faint-hearted. I'm not kidding, guys. It is raw, emotional, and the brutality of that age and time is shown explicitly. I love how Mesu gives a little heads up on her first pages about hanging in there, to keep reading when the book gets too dark because the light will come shining in the end.

I won't get into details about the plot because I feel this series should be approached with the least knowledge you know about it, the better. I read book one without reading the book blurb and I'm so glad I did because it kept me at the edge of my seat. I devoured the series, and even the bonus story you get signing to Mesu's newsletter.

The characters were so complex and alive! We see one character in this book with a disability, too! There is just so much hope wrapped up in one book, it is incredible. Hope for the parents who have prodigal sons, for youth who feel have lost their way, for the ones who think they are alone in this world, for those who are still waiting in God's promises. This book is for you.

I won't lie and say there were some parts that were tough to read, there is human sacrifice to idols as the Bible story says, idolatry, black magic, rape, and all the sins the Bible talks about Mannaseh encouraged in his reign. Though they aren't written in an overly explicit manner, I would not recommend this book for young audiences as some parts may be too detailed.

I absolutely enjoyed this book very very much! I want to binge read all of Mesus' book right now! I encourage you to pick Isaiah's Legacy today and rekindle your relationship with God! God didn't fail Abraham, Hephzibah, and Hezzi, and He won't fail you :)

Cleanness: ⭐️⭐️ 2/5 (there is rape, idolatry, human sacrifice, pagan rituals, death, blood... Though not overly explicit and very well approached, it is still there and I wouldn't recommend it for younger audiences.)

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

This book was so encouraging in many ways. It brought to life a part of history for me. But also reminded me of God chasing after me, looking out for me and protecting me. God works things for my good and His glory (Genesis 50)

I have never read any of Mesu Andrews works before this series so I honestly didn't know what to expect from this one. But I must say I am glad to have requested the first book of this series. and I have been hooked ever since. I just loved it this whole series.

Well researched to create the fictionalized dark story of the biblical king, Manasseh. As a young child, having loss his father, Manasseh was easily manipulated by unsavory adults. His reign of terror was truly horrific. But as this story will show God can redeem even the darkest hearts.