It takes a brave author to tackle a story as dark as that of Manasseh, King of Judah, but what a powerful reminder that no person is beyond the reach of God! This book really does exemplify everything I love about Mesu Andrews’ books. It is so very well researched, both biblically and historically, and written out of a deep love for God and His redeeming Truth. Wow.

The most brilliant part of this novel was possibly the characterisation of Manasseh himself, who is portrayed as being on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum. Andrews is very clear in her author notes that this was NOT an explanation for why Manasseh was so wicked and violent; the ‘credit’ for that goes to sin and sin alone. But some of the characteristics particular to those on the autism spectrum (rigid thinking, inability to read social cues, tendency to take words at face value without perceiving deeper motivations, etc) when coupled with his youth (he was twelve when his father died) made Manasseh more susceptible to the manipulation and influence of those around him: idolatrous advisors, the powerful and cruel rulers of the time, and most particularly Shulle, the young girl who understands him so well and captures his heart but is herself the puppet of her cruel, power-hungry uncle. Couple this with Manasseh’s belief that his ‘oddities’, as he refers to them, are a punishment from Yahweh, and you have a character for whom it is possible to ache, even as you abhor the things he did, and I think that was a vital ingredient for reader engagement.

And yes, those abhorrent things make this book a difficult read at times. There are references to dark arts, priestess rituals, and violence, but I think Andrews maintained the delicate balance of conveying the depth of darkness involved without dwelling in that darkness and becoming too graphic. Downplaying the reality of the darkness for the sake of reader comfort would also have weakened the impact of Manasseh’s redemption. As Hezekiah says at one point, “The blacker the darkness, the brighter God’s spark.” And there are plenty of those sparks to be found here, especially in the faith of the Yahwists, who remained true to God no matter the cost.

This isn’t a light read, that’s for sure, but it’s definitely a powerful one!

Comments about Christianity aren’t always positive. I’ve often heard that it’s misogynistic, for example, even though that’s something with which I disagree. But, when I consider the paganism featured in this novel, I want to say how thankful I am for the Christian faith. Isaiah’s Legacy isn’t the first book I’ve read by Mesu Andrews, not by a long shot, but it is the one I had the most difficulty finishing. That’s nothing to do with her quality of writing, but instead due to the subject matter Andrews had to write about.

Ancient Judah could’ve been great. Kings such as Hezekiah ruled justly, but they were in the minority. Hezekiah’s moves to put Yahweh in His rightful place, to be worshipped by all, were undone by his son and his son’s advisors. The country was surrounded by unjust kings who wanted to conquer the land just as they had done with the northern Kingdom of Israel. Manasseh thought he could be as great as Solomon, but he focused on the wrong aspects of Solomon’s rule. He formed allegiances with Assyria and restored polytheistic worship. Andrews also suggests that he participated in the sacrificial worship of Moloch, which involved child sacrifice, and that he took multiple wives.

When it came to Shulle, Andrews wrote of her being just eight years old when she is first introduced to the dark arts. That was a little… horrifying. Then, Manasseh was merely 12 when he came to the throne. Shulle, 15. Their young ages made it awkward to read the passages involving the intimacy between them. What I had to remember – what all readers need to remember – is how times have changed in matters of adulthood and maturity. Once someone hit puberty, they were considered adults, ready to marry and raise children of their own. This was not thought of as child abuse, although I’d suggest (with my modern-day perspective) the pagan rites definitely crossed a line.

And then Manasseh executed Isaiah… It’s a pivotal moment in the book, especially for Shulle, but I’m not sure I could read it again. (That's not a spoiler, by the way. It's straight from the Talmud, a collection of Jewish writings.)

When it comes to fiction, I usually inhale it. For someone who can be easily distracted, reading can keep me occupied for hours. But as much as I wanted to read Isaiah’s Legacy in one sitting, I couldn’t do it. I had to keep turning to something lighter and fluffier, and then remember not to lose myself in that so I could return to the dark land of Judah. Let me reiterate that this is an ugly book, but it isn’t a complaint about Andrews’ writing. Her note to the reader at the start warns readers that the novel may be overwhelming at times, but she believes that Manasseh was the original prodigal son. Because Manasseh DID return to the Lord and to following Yahweh’s ways, demonstrating that no one is beyond redemption while they still breathe. Sometimes, you have to hit the deep dark pits of depravity before you can rise up and see the Light of truth. And that’s the point of Isaiah’s Legacy.

Four point five stars – only because it was such a difficult book to read that the ending came as a relief.

Disclaimer: Although I received a copy of this book from the publisher, the words and opinions below are my own. I appreciate being a member of the BFF team.

Isaiah's Legacy



By



Mesu Andrews





I have to admit that Mesu Andrews is a great storyteller! She knows how to bring a historical story to life. I sometimes struggle when I read stories in the bible and she was able to show me what the time was like and just made me feel like I was there. Isaiah's legacy drew me into the story from the first page. You can tell that the author spent a lot of time researching the history during the time of King Manasseh.



This story is about a young girl Shullie and her relationship with Judea's future king Manasseh. She was brought into the picture to tutor Manasseh. It was during this time the Shullie was forced to learn the art of worshipping pagan god's. Some sections of Shullie story was hard for me to read, but it was necessary to understand how Manasseh became one of the worse kings in Judea.

I am giving this book a 4 star's out of 5.

I will be recommending this book to my family and friends

[I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Netglley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.]

Title: Isaiah’s Legacy
Author: Mesu Andrews
Genre: Biblical fiction, historical
Rating: 5 out of 5

Eight-year-old Shulle only knows a simple life in her small village, caring for her father, who’s different from everyone else. He may be different, but Shulle loves him deeply, and does her best to help him every day. Then her uncle, Shebna, arrives, and asks her to return to Jerusalem to help him teach young Prince Manasseh, who shares many of her father’s oddities, and Shulle agrees to help the prince.

Once in Jerusalem, she befriends Manasseh, who soon grows dependent on her. But Shebna teaches her about the starry hosts, whose power she admires and yearns for, while her father reveres Yahweh, the god of the Hebrews. Shulle tempts Manasseh with powers of the starry hosts, turning the prince away from the god of his fathers.

When Manasseh becomes king at a young age, he insists on marrying Shulle and whisking her away on an extended trip. Assyria’s crown prince turns Manasseh to cruelty—and far from Yahweh’s love. When Manasseh’s cruelty grows, Shulle must turn to the god she never knew as the only one who can comfort her—and save her family.

I loved this story! Mesu Andrew’s writing brings this biblical story to life in heartrending detail and entranced me from the very beginning. She’s a wonderful writer, and I love how she brings biblical stories off the pages and makes the characters living, breathing people. This story is sad in places, horrifying in others, but every word feels truthful.

Mesu Andrews lives in the Appalachian Mountains. Isaiah’s Legacy is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of WaterBrook in exchange for an honest review.)

In all honesty, this was a challenging novel to read. I struggled to make it through the spiritually dark parts but persevered because I knew the book had a redemptive theme and that there was hope for the future for the characters. I thought from the title that this would include more about the prophet Isaiah, but he seemed a minor character with royalty parading across the pages and evil attempting to triumph over the right and good. This fictional account follows the life of Manasseh, King Hezekiah’s son, whom we know from the Bible. The author did a marvelous job at bringing the story and the characters to life. That’s why the ungodly parts, although not detailed, weigh so heavily on the spirit. And the growth and gradual changes in the characters appear so realistic. You feel like you know their hearts and thoughts. This book stands alone as a complete tale, one we can all learn from. I received a book to facilitate this review. The views and opinions expressed here are 100 percent honest and my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, part 255 guidelines concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in advertising.

I haven’t been very interested in King Manasseh’s story because I couldn’t get past the incredible evil he led his people into. Isaiah’s Legacy reminded me that Scripture shows he turned back to God. Mesu Andrews created a story that compelled me to remember that King Manasseh was loved by God.

I think Biblical Fiction should fill in the blanks between the verses we read in the Bible in order to help us imagine what might have happened. I also believe it should encourage me to go back and read the verses again. Isaiah’s Legacy completed both of those assignments for me.

I was blessed to receive a copy from the publisher and delighted to share my personal review.

Isaiah's Legacy, third in the Prophets and Kings series by Mesu Andrews, is historical fiction at its finest. Mesu Andrews does a marvelous job of telling the story of a young boy who becomes Judah's most evil king and the women who love him. Taking Biblical history and fleshing out the story, the author brings readers a thoroughly captivating read. With descriptive prose that makes the reader feel like you are right there in the scenes and realistic dialogue, the author expertly portrays the struggles and emotions of the characters and brings clarification of some of the convoluted political alliances and oppositions of this time period. The development of the characters throughout the story is strong, especially Shulle, whose rejection of Yahweh leads her to become a priestess of the dark arts and incantations of Babylonian magic. Would she ever be able to know Yahweh is the only true God? I enjoyed the portrayal of the Queen/Queen Mother Zibah throughout the story, seeing her as a wise and faithful Yahwist who is strong in the hope that Yahweh will capture Nasseh's heart again. This is not a light read but it is a story of hope and a reminder that Yahweh is the God who is in the business of restoration. The author leaves a strong message with her readers. Yahweh is faithful forever and we can trust His love even when we don't know His plan.
I received a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

The greatest prodigal son story I’ve ever read. I’ve seen a meme going around that perfectly sums up this statement. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, just come home. That’s what God wants from us. He just wants us to come home.

Isaiah’s Legacy is one of those stories that you can’t inhale in one short read. This one takes time to absorb and appreciate. I had to stop every few chapters and simply let the story sink in. Beautifully poignant but with a sharp edge of truth, this is one story you’ll be thinking about long after the final page is done.

Shulle and Nassah have their faults. Some of their troubles have been foisted upon them, and some they have made for themselves. The dedication and care Mesu Andrews awards their story is critical in their redemption. To see how far each is willing to go, and how low their rock bottom, brings the reader the ability to see beyond the evil they’ve done and recognize a hurting heart.

I requested a copy of this book from WaterBrook and Multnomah. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

“We learn the Truth in daylight so we can walk in darkness.”

Every time I pick up a Mesu Andrews book, I am astounded by her melodic poetry and the way she brings the characters and settings of the Bible to vivid, touchable reality. I recently read through the Books of Kings, Chronicles, and Isaiah and gleaned much from my studies but the author’s book paints Manasseh’s life in full color and helped me better understand the political turmoil and pressure during that time period.

The book is divided into four parts and spans most of Manasseh’s life. Meshullemeth, his queen, has a first person voice while Manasseh and his mother Hephzibah have third person voices. There is a fascinating in-depth look at the kings of the nations surrounding Judah and of the key court officials of Manasseh’s court. The author builds on these extraordinary details to show who Manasseh may have been, living under the righteous and honored Hezekiah, and his story is unforgettable. There is dark sorcery and idol worship and the persecution of the righteous by Manasseh which is heart-breaking and devastating.....but we are reminded, every step of Manasseh’s journey, Who is really in control. If you enjoy Biblical fiction, this book is an absolute must-read. It will open your eyes to Judah’s most evil king’s struggles and triumphs and bolster your faith.

I received a copy of the book from Waterbrook Multnomah and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

This is a wow book. I love how Mesu Andrews can take a little portion of a bible story and give the people a life. I loved the characters and I disliked the characters all at the same time. I felt sorry for King Manasseh for having to grow up so fast and not learning how to rule properly from someone with compassion. I felt sorry for Shulle for how she was raised once she was taken to the palace to live. I also understood many of the problems they went through in their lifetime. This book is so well written and flows nicely. This is very inspirational. I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I found Isaiah’s Legacy by Mesu Andrews to be intense, intriguing, and disturbing to its core. To see the change of kings, go from Hezekiah, which was a good, God-honoring king, to Manasseh, which was an evil king was so heart-wrenching. The treatment Isaiah received had my heart breaking and the worldly customs taken on because of the leaving of Yahweh and His Ways was so distressing. This author doesn’t mince words as she paints it in such a gripping and raw way. Looking for historical fiction at its best, this is it.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.


***Also posted on CBD, B&N

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. Thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah for an ARC.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Actual rating 2.5 / 5 stars

I had a really hard time reading this book simply because there was so much darkness, death, and mayhem in this period of history. I was curious a few times to the historical accuracy (Isaiah's death, for example). I look forward to doing some of my own research to discover what tradition says about that.

Isaiah's Legacy is written through the lens of several characters; mostly Zipah (Hephzibah - Manasseh's mother & main character from book #2), Manasseh, and Shulle (Manasseh's wife). I really enjoyed when the Manasseh and Shulle traveled to other countries and we got to see bits of other countries.

It's always a blessing to see God transform people, and remember that these imperfect people were part of the heritage of Jesus Christ.

Trigger warnings: plenty of death and killing including child sacrifice, astrology and other "dark arts" practiced by a few characters.

“I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My Word and have not denied My Name” (Revelation 3:8).

Isaiah’s Legacy by Mesu Andrews is an outstanding novel. This story allowed me to confront real, heavy darkness. It held a mirror up and showed me some of my deep fears and personal, spiritual failures. This beautiful story led me back into my Bible to really study God’s Word on a man I have always judged as irredeemable. I failed to ever see Manasseh as redeemable until after I dealt with some of the spiritual failings Isaiah’s Legacy showed were in my heart. This novel is a phenomenally hard story to read — it’s got a lot of ugliness and sin illustrated, but it is a remarkable testament to God’s redemptive love. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. As 1 Peter 4 states, love covers a multitude of sins and God’s redemptive love can cover anything.

This novel follows three main characters — Zibah, Shulle, and Manasseh — over the course of some of Judah’s most tumultuous times during Manasseh’s reign as king. One thing that is insanely clear is that women had almost zero control during this time. It was so frustrating to read because I struggle so hard with my own powerlessness. In today’s day and age, I see so much bad. I hear bad, misguided thinking. There is so much deception that common sense and logic have almost totally gone by the wayside. And, I have no power over any of this craziness. In this, I can relate to Zibah and Shulle 1000%. I find that I often ask God WHY a lot, and then I spiral because my tiny mind cannot understand God’s plan and I start to fear, doubt, and worry. In Isaiah’s Legacy, there is this glorious moment where in a fit of complete powerlessness Zibah loses her emotional cool after a very bad incident with her son, Manasseh, and she starts to ask a million WHY questions. Yaira, Zibah’s best friend and sister-in-law, pulls Zibah to her and lovingly scolds her: “Why questions lead only to doubt. Only who questions build faith.” I can personally attest to the truth of this statement. In my frustration and powerlessness, I always retreat to why questions, and then inevitably spiral out of emotional control. But, I’ve been working really hard lately to stop asking why and to speak Truth. My new mantra is “God is the BOSS!” As soon as I take myself away from the why focus and focus on the Who, I calm down and that sense of powerlessness disappears.

I began this review with a verse from Revelation because this one verse kept popping into my brain as I was reading Isaiah’s Legacy. As I was dealing with and confronting my own sense of powerlessness, and fears and doubts were popping up left and right, I didn’t want to spiral. So I took up my “God is the BOSS!” mantra. In the moments of peace that settled on me after I cried out that God is the BOSS, Revelation 3:8 would pop into my head and I would focus on the fact that Jesus “knows.” He knows my powerlessness. He knew Zibah’s and Shulle’s powerlessness. Nothing gets past God. This realization struck me like a ton of bricks and brought real peace. Part of being powerless is a frustration that truth isn’t seen. That injustice and ugliness and deprivation aren’t being seen. But when Jesus says in Revelation 3:8 that He knows we’re powerless it means He sees and nothing has gotten past Him, including one bit of bad. It also means that Jesus has a plan because He is the BOSS! Our job is to wait, to keep His Word, and to never deny His Name. In this command, Jesus has given us all something to hold onto. He has made us part of the plan, and He’s given us a choice. We can choose to wait, keep His Word, and never deny His Name, or we can go our own way. In this, Jesus has given us power. Isn’t that amazing?!

There is no way to do Isaiah’s Legacy justice in a review. It’s just too good a story to put into words. Isaiah’s Legacy is masterful and must be experienced. I highly recommend this novel. Reading Isaiah’s Legacy will change your life for the better!

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, WaterBrook Press, via NetGalley. I have also received a review copy of this novel in paperback form from the author. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

"Isaiah's Legacy " by Mesu Andrews is a Biblical fiction book. This book takes place during Old Testament times. When King Hezekiah dies his son Manasseh takes over the throne at twelve years old. There are themes of power, control, dishonesty, in this book. The people are torn between worshiping Yahweh and other gods. The king wants to show others He has the power but the other countries also want the power. This book shows the reader what life was like during Old Testament times. It shows the different influences that competed for the peoples attention . The king tried to have power over the people and was not always fair in his decisions. This book is well researched. The author gives good descriptions of life during Bible times in the Old Testament times. I was given this book to read and review and the opinions are my own . Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

This book is a follow up to Isaiah’s Daughter. But you can read it if you haven’t read book one in my opinion. It’s better if you do. As I read this book, I found myself stopping and praying often. I pondered many things. I thought about how easy it is to be led astray, a little bit at a time. About how much people stay in their bad habits. I thought about hour nothing new is under the sun. Basically this book touched me. It led me to consider things a little more. Manasseh was a very young king. He chose to follow people who led him down a very dark path. I really like how the author used real life and fiction to write. Some of the book is tough to read. To know how cruel Manasseh truly was. I think it also shows how important influences are on our children. I definitely recommend this book. I recommend you share this book and gift it. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views stated here are my own.

Isaiah’s Legacy by Mesu Andrews is thought provoking. I’ve read her previous three releases and found them compelling reads. Her research is complete and from this foundation she develops characters with unique points of view. Another strength of Isaiah’s Legacy is the uniquely crafted dialogue. The characters speak words that are inventive, fresh, and wise. The title is fitting as the prophet Isaiah remained a voice sharing Biblical truths despite persecution, complacency, and tolerance run amok.

The Old Testament is filled with harsh and brutal practices of the Ancient World. These practices include holding women down and viewing their importance only as members of a harem to build a legacy and political coalitions, human sacrifice, and the ever present brutal conquests by invading armies. Andrews does not sugarcoat the past so each element finds a place in her story. Some of the plot details had to be difficult to write. The weight of these evils only proves the depth and sincerity of the Lord’s forgiveness. Manasseh found forgiveness after following a serpentine and dark path away from the Lord. Mesu Andrews calls Manasseh’s story the greatest prodigal journey in scripture. In Isaiah’s Legacy, she shines a convincing light on an important truth. Forgiveness offered in centuries past is available in the same measure today; even when it’s late in life and after a long string of poor choices.

I plan to share this book with friends who name Biblical fiction as their favorite genre. I’ll be interested to hear their feedback. I’m quite sure from this point forward, I’ll be reading the Bible’s record of Kings and Prophets with a greater appreciation. I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. #isaiahslegacy, #chainbreakers, @mesuandrews

I think that authors who write Biblical fiction takes the biggest risk. They take limited information as provided in the Bible and produces a story of fictional depth to the characters an story but still has to stay true to the word. I think Mesu Andrews is one author who gets this right all the time!

Through Isaiah's legacy, she gave life to King Manessah and Shulle. For this reader she produced two characters who were so misguided, you experienced compassion and sorrow for them but also dislike quite a few times. And as a mom I even felt empathy for Queen Zibah as she watch her son falling deeper and deeper in the dark world.

This was a story of how people can influence your decisions from early on - for the good or the bad - but ultimately a story of no matter how lost you get and how bad the decisions is you make, you are never to far gone for God to fight to capture your heart and how you can still leave a Godly legacy after years of a bad one.

As I read, I realized nothing much has changed with society since biblical times. Different people dealing with the same stuff. Can we believe God’s word is true? Can we trust Him? and will He be faithful in fulfilling His promises? Below Nasseh’s mother pours her heart out to God.

“How could Nasseh believe each one was a separate god? The legends of deific squabbles changed with each generation’s retelling. How could her brilliant son believe such far-fetched tales when the simple truth had been given to his ancestors for the redemption of all nations? Oh, Yahweh, how many more must die before You capture and rebuild his heart?” (the cry of many parents today)

I love books that make me go back to scripture to get a better handle on what is being said and to whom it’s being said to. I likeed in author’s Note to reader where she discusses what part of the story is fact and which is fiction. I also liked when she asks readers, “Was Nasseh’s sin so different from ours?

“The same God who captured Nasseh’s heart has led you here to capture yours. God knit Nasseh together in his mother’s womb. God allowed Nasseh to reject Him and then guided Nasseh home. The same God who captured Nasseh captured me and can capture you – along with all the Manassehs in your life.” Amen! Amen!

Mesu is an exceptional storyteller bringing scripture to life. This is an unforgettable, emotionally complex, powerful story that encouraged my soul.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. 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”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com

As much as I liked this book. It was a lot darker than I expected it to be. The story following on of Judah's cruelest kings - Manasseh. This heart-wrenching story is well researched and the depth of history mixed with Mesu Andrews fantastic writing style does a good job of bring the Biblical era to life. It was a bit difficult to read at times. Despite its overall dark tone, the story does have a thread of hope and redemption that climaxes as the story progresses. Its definitely worth reading about one of Israel's darkest eras.

I can't help but compare this book with Isaiah's Daughter of the same series and find that Isaiah's Legacy came up short.

Maybe I did not like Manasseh and had no desire to read about an evil king. Even though he did turn over a completely new leaf!

I haven't given up on Mesu Andrews though and still look forward to a new book from her!

Thank you Netgalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah for the ARC. This is my honest review.