This is my first time reading Biblical fiction, and this book completely blew me away. Well-written and researched. So encouraging to see God working behind the scenes to turn something awful into a testament to His grace. The beginning half was so grim that I wasn't sure how the horrors could possibly work out, but the author masterfully ended the book perfectly. This will not be my last Biblical fiction book or my last read by Mesu Andrews. I highly recommend!
I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

This was a well written book, and it was evident that the author did a lot of research in writing this book. I always enjoy biblical fiction, but some parts of this book I struggled to get through. I love how she was able to take parts from the Old Testament and give readers a glimpse of what life would have been like back then.

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

Picture this. You're living in a country where the throne is passed to the son of the King when the king dies. In this case, the King dies in an accident, the son is only 12 years old and autistic. He's also very susceptible to the influence of others. This is not going to turn out well.

Now let's add a bit more. There's a beautiful little girl who is brought to the city and she becomes a companion to the boy king. She's the only one who can calm him and interact with him in a positive way. But as a child herself, she is also susceptible to the influence of others, and unfortunately, the relatives that she lives with include an evil sorceress who makes this young girl believe that learning the dark arts is the best way to get ahead in life. She learns all she can learn under the tutelage of this evil woman, and believing in it herself, exposes this evil to the boy king, who trusts her implicitly.

As the boy grows and matures, he commits vile and evil acts, even to the point of torturing and murdering his own grandfather, relatives and friends.

It sounds like fiction, but much of this story is possible. Isaiah's Legacy weaves the story of King Hezekiah's heir to the throne, King Manasseh. The girl in the story, Shulle, is thoroughly convinced that the notion of God is fiction, and that the people of Jerusalem should be freed from their "chains" of worshiping Yahweh. And she convinces Manasseh of this. Eventually they marry and Manasseh's wicked reign continues, even after Shulle becomes convicted that she was wrong about Yahweh all along.

There are twists and turns and friendships that are puzzling. Will Manasseh ever see the truth and end his reign of evil? Or will he die in his own misery? You'll have to read the book to find out!

And let me just tell you, I couldn't put this book down. Mesu Andrews is one of my very favorite authors. Anytime she publishes a new book, it's first on my list. If you haven't yet discovered her work, you're in for a treat if you enjoy Biblical Fiction. Visit her page here.

Really nice follow up to Isaiah’s Daughter.

One thing I appreciate about Mesu Andrews is her research into ancient Israel. I know with a historical fiction that’s a but obvious to say, but here’s where I’m going: sometimes authors feel it’s necessary to flood you in detail because, hey, why not? They did their research! But if you work all of that into the story organically, not only does it feel like we’re there, but we don’t even notice that you’re killing us with detail. Because it’s all-encompassing. It’s like living that life.

I think a lot of Christian writers could take notes from Andrews. Seriously.

I have read all of Mesu Andrews books and Isaiah’s Legacy is my new favorite. Rich in historical details, poignant, and captivating character development. I love how Shulle and Zibah love their husbands as men, despite the headstrong nature of them as king. Zibah comforts Shulle with a beautiful truth that has stuck with me: we may be helpless to change the minds and actions of others, but we are never hopeless. Wow. So many powerful truths displayed in the struggles of each of these characters. Another great reminder is that we learn the Truth in daylight so we can walk in darkness. Scripture recounts the acts of Manasseh and I love how Mesu explored the option of autism contributing to his brilliant mind and particular behaviors. His choices were sinful and affected many, leading hearts astray from Yahweh. Shulle questions how God can be Sovereign in all of it and Zibah lovingly reminds her to “Never begin a sentence with ‘Yahweh can’t’. Our minds are too small to imagine what He can do.” This historical tale takes the reader through the recounting of what God can do as well as powerful retellings of all that He did. Lovers of Biblical fiction: I cannot recommend this book highly enough!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and all expressed opinions are solely my own.

Oh goodness, I've found another one that I'm not sure I have the words to do it justice. After devouring the prequel to this story Isaiah's Daughter, I simply couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. It took my emotions on a rollercoaster ride I couldn't have prepared for. Unlike his father Hezekiah, Manasseh worshiped many false gods instead of the one and only Yahweh.

God allowed a lot of evil during Nasseh's reign. It's easy to look at the circumstances and wish that God would have smote him and put an end to it all. It would have prevented a whole lot of bloodshed. Yet you also see (just as He does with us), that God doesn't force a relationship. He allows a lot of evil and he allows Nasseh to fall flat on his face. He allowed the circumstances that would draw him to Himself. No one's heart is beyond God's ability to capture.

It was a unique viewpoint to see Nasseh as someone with what we would label today as "High Functioning Autism. As the Andrews states in her author's note, she took some creative license with this since she had to develop a character that we could put up with for 400 pages. It was an interesting twist and certainly complicated the reader's emotions towards him. As much as you hate him, you see how clueless and broken he is. I found myself wishing the influences around him would change so that he could be led to the truth instead of further manipulated by lies.

I liked that Shulle's character was complicated as well. Like Nasseh, she'd been led astray by powerful influences in her life and had been used and manipulated by people with their own agendas. No matter how hard she tried to find ways to protect herself, she always seemed to end up hurt. She was searching for love but was often fueled by anger. It took the right people in her life to love her and lead her to the only one who could heal her heart.

As with the author's other biblical fiction pieces, her respect and devotion to God's Word is unmistakable. Relevant passages were added before chapters and interwoven into the narrative. In the end, Andrews shares some of her fact & fiction with the readers, along with encouraging them to reread the passages of scripture that related to the story. I appreciate when the authors add this because it truly enriches the story for me.

This was another absolute must-read in biblical fiction. I honestly don't think I can recommend it enough. I would suggest reading Isaiah's Daughter first since it gives a lot of the backstory to Nasseh's family (and is another amazing read). I can't wait to see what Mesu Andrews comes up with next!

* I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook Press. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

Isaiah's legacy is inspired by the story of King Hezechiah and his son Manasseh. During his reign over Judah Hezechiah abolish idolatry in the land and lead the people to worship the One and only tru God Yawheh. But his son Manasseh didn't follow his path and restored idolatry in the land and did abominable things towards God

How did this happen? Mesu Andrews shape a beautiful story around those events, despite the darkness that can surround us, God is more powerful and will always prove it.

Manasseh is a young child who has difficulty to communicate with others. Shebna, levite, palace administrator who hate the Yawhist is secretly involve in dark arts with a sorceress, recruit his young niece Shulle to help Manasseh. Shulle has been raised to trust Yawheh but when she arrived at her uncle house, he introduced her to a woman who is going to teach her forbidden things by God and turn her away from God.

The beggining of the book was a little hard for me to read especially when we see Shulle turning away from God and taught how to do incantations, spells, things forbidden by God. But then as the story move on, I could not put the book down, the transformation in Shulle's heart, how God is calling her back to him despite the things that she has done and the way God restore her and Manasseh is beautifully woven.

The story reminds us the importance of loving our God the one and only true God and to stay away from evil. It show us again than no matter how far we could have been from God if we repent God will welcome us arms wide open to restore us.

I very much struggled with reading this book, for at least halfway through it. As Shulle learned sorcery and worked to turn Nassah away from the true God to the starry host, I did not want to go on—in fact, if I hadn't requested a review copy of this book I would not have finished it. I kept thinking of the verse in Deuteronomy 12:30 where God commanded his people not to ask how other nations served their gods. The book felt very dark and horrible. Once I reached the 60-70% mark, however, there was a glimmer of light and hope, and the rest of the book was easier to read! I'm not sure I can recommend this book without reservations, however. Physical intimacy between man and woman was alluded to frequently, and there were a lot of instances of divining and casting spells. I appreciated the ending, and that the author stayed pretty close to the Biblical account. Even the darkness and horribleness was probably a fairly true portrayal of the atmosphere in Israel during the time of Mannassah
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

This is the most heartfelt Biblical historical novel I have read. And I have read several. What made this novel so enthralling was the authors ability to make me really feel what it could be like to live under the pressures of the day with a evil King and yet love him as his mother (Isaiah’s daughter) and his wife did. Also the depth and constancy of her prayers for her prodigal son demonstrated a faith I have trouble sustaining. For all those with prodigals in their lives this is the perfect story of hope for you! Thank you for an advance copy of this book. I look forward to ready more by this author.

A good book, but not one I’d pick up again or necessarily recommend.

This book really conflicts me—I appreciated some elements, and hated others. If you enjoy good writing, this would be the book for you. The characters are diverse and spot-on, the plot is well-developed and perfectly executed, and the history is seamlessly woven in in a way that feels very realistic. I loved getting to meet Shulle, with her imperfections and dreams. She had so much go wrong for her, and so much fear to deal with, but she always worked to conquer that. I also loved meeting Nasseh, though he was an overall very evil king—the way he was portrayed here as a high-functioning autistic was special, and not too hard to believe. Their lives together—with the political intrigue of King Manasseh’s reign—were quite fascinating to watch.

I hated how much the Assyrians controlled things in here—I know it happened, but really, they were awful! I also didn’t like how much sex was mentioned (although it was hidden behind a myriad of terms, AND was something that would have come up with a king with many concubines, I still didn’t enjoy that). Then there’s the whole priestess/sorceress side of things, which is pretty horrific in some ways.

For me, I don’t know if the good—the prodigal story, in essence—really outweighed the bad for me. Don’t get me wrong; sometimes God takes the worst evil (which Manassah’s story is, in essence) and turns it into the most beautiful redemption. But I don’t know how much dwelling on said evil is healthy. It’s hard to know where to draw the line. Though I didn’t feel like I had to participate in everything that happened in the book, there was a lot that made me uncomfortable. And though I enjoyed the storytelling and history immensely, I don’t think I would have read it if I had known how much I wouldn’t appreciate some aspects of the book.

The beautiful thing I took away from this was that God’s light does shine even in the darkest of places—though some parts were fictitious, I did want to go research Isaiah’s death a lot more after reading the account in here. And the quiet faithful faith displayed in several characters in here really shone against the horrible elements. God preserves His own—that’s a major part of this book.

As I said, this is a conflicting one for me! Some aspects I would easily give five stars; they were amazing! Other parts would barely get a two from me. So I’ll stick with 3. If you don’t mind violence, or an idea of what sorcery back in those times was like, or multiple (as in, occasionally nearly every chapter) hints at bedroom scenes, and love seeing the Lord’s redemption coming through, this might be a book you’d enjoy.

Favorite quote:
“Why questions lead only to doubt. Only Who questions build faith. Who is sovereign over the kingdoms of earth? Who spoke light into darkness? And Who promised to capture and build Nasseh’s heart?” —Yaira

I requested a free review copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

This is book 3 of the Prophets and Kings series. In this portion King Hezekiah has brought his people back to worshipping God. Unfortunately, when his son was being trained to take the crown, he was manipulated into idolatry, human sacrifices and multiple wives. Can his mother's prayers be answered and Manasseh find his way to God?

Once again, Mesu Andrews has woven an intricately written novel that grasps your attention and even at some moments shedding tears with the characters as you feel the depth of their pain. My favorite part is without a doubt the unfaltering faith that many had although they were persecuted and murdered for believing in the Creator. If you have read the previous two novels, it's a must read for 2020!

Isaiah's Legacy
A Novel of Prophets and Kings

by Mesu Andrews
WaterBrook & Multnomah
WaterBrook

Christian , Historical Fiction
Pub Date 18 Feb 2020


I am reviewing a copy of Isaiah’s Legacy through Waterbrook and Multnomah:


Schulle is only eight and has only known life in her small village with her peculiar father, until her Uncle Shebna offers her shelter in Jerusalem and in exchange she is to help tutor King Mannesh Judah's five-year-old co-regent who displays the same strange waysas her father, but she's eager to experience the royal court. Shulle soon realizes the limits of her father's strict adherence to Yahweh's Law when Uncle Shebna teaches her of the starry hosts and their power.


Shulle convinces that Judah must be freed from the chains she perceives Yahweh has put on the place so she subtly starts swaying the Young Mannesh using her charm and skills on the boy no one else understands. When Mannesh is twelve years old, King Hezekiah dies thrusting him onto Judah’s throne he is bitter at Yahweh and eager to marry the girl he adores. Assyria's crown prince favors Manasseh and twists his brilliant mind toward cruelty, beginning Shulle's long and harrowing journey to discover the Yahweh she'd never known, guided with loving wisdom by Manasseh's mother. Isaiah's daughter, the heartbroken Hephzibah. In Judah's dark days, a desperate remnant emerges, claiming the Lord's promise, "Though we're helpless now, we're never hopeless, because we serve El Shaddai." Shulle is among them, a girl who becomes a queen through Isaiah's legacy.


If you are looking for a good historical book that transports you to go back to Old Testament days, then Isaiah’s Legacy is just the ticket.


I give Isaiah’s Legacy five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

My God...I finished this book on the 9th of December, but I couldn't write this review until close to midnight on the 10th. This was an epic follow-up to Isaiah's Daughter! Mesu has crafted such a heart-wrenching story. You will cry, get angry, shout, yell, laugh and feel warm while reading this beauty! I'm still frazzled in trying to type this review out.

Where do I even begin. The use of scripture was excellent. You could definitely feel all the research and study of the Word that was put into crafting this story. The description of locations, the detail to situations that occurred, how impeccable and real the characters felt. I was blown away by this book.

The follow picks up a few years after Isaiah's Daughter in which Manasseh is a young boy who has "oddities" -- he doesn't like being touched, talked to or around loud noise. He freaks out over the littlest thing. He befriends a girl named Shulle who knows how to "deal" with his moments and life takes a major turn from there.

Let's talk about two of my favorite characters from the first book -- King Hezekiah and Queen Zibah. I love them so much! I'm so glad I got to see a different side of them in this book with their parenting skills. They both struggled being parents which was relatable to me. You could see they loved their son, but also they knew they couldn't do much for him. King Hezekiah is simply an amazing man. I loved everything about him except his end...that was unexpected, tragic and threw me for a complete and total loop. As for Queen Zibah, she continues to stay steadfast in the faith and learns to love despite the hurt.

King Manasseh aka Nasseh is such an interesting child. He becomes co-regent at around 8 years old and king at 11 or 12 years old. I couldn't stand him for his choices, but I also felt bad for him because 1) he was easily swayed by the niceness of others, 2) the adults who "advised" him were treacherous and 3) he blinded by "love" at first sight. Nasseh would have been such a great king if he hadn't had his "fall" however, I feel like his experiences made him much stronger in the end for God's glory. Nasseh was such a loving kid who just didn't know how to deal with his emotions. Sometimes I wanted to just kick him in his shin.

Shulle...what can I say about this treacherous yet warm child. She, like Nasseh, was a victim of being swayed by adults. She was dragged into dark arts and stopped believing in God thanks to her uncle. She became the catalyst that caused Nasseh to fall. Shulle is a character that I had mixed feelings for throughout the course of the novel. I hated her tremendously at first, but as she began to grow, mature and believe again my heart melted. She was faced with hard decisions that caused her heart to harden. She learned in the end and became a powerful queen.

The romance between Nasseh and Shulle was annoying and adorable. You could tell that Nasseh had an obsessive love for Shulle. You could also see that Shulle didn't really care for Nasseh the way a wife should at first, but throughout their marriage they struggled and tried to understand one another though it mostly ended in miscommunication and Nasseh being easily swayed. They were a danger to one another, but some how it all panned out well in the end for them.

Lord Shebna was the epitome of evil. He cared for nothing but riches. Believed in God, but still dabbled in other gods. He was a foolish man with a hardened heart. Belit was a pure a witch. I have no other words to express my deep and utterly boundless hatred for her as a woman. She irked me each turn of the page. King Sennacherib, king of Assyria, was despicable! That scene with the cat and dog killed me. Prince Esar was just as foolish as Nasseh and a victim like Shulle in his kingdom.

The Prophet Isaiah was EXCELLENT in this story. I got to see him as not just a prophet and father, but as a grandfather. I loved his sound wisdom. My heart ached with the tree scene. I loved getting a chance to see the Prophet Nahum as a little boy. Perfect addition.

The scenes with Gemit cracked me up because Nasseh was so ruthless and childish in his thoughts. My heart ached for Panya and the other concubines.

There's just too many characters and events to discuss that make this story worth the read. I highly recommend this story to all. I hope there is a third book to come because I just need more.

Definitely a 2019 AND 2020 FAVORITE!

I would not call Mesu Andrew's books an easy read. They are so much more than that and worth it.
It is obvious the thorough research she has to put into each of these wonderful biblical fiction novels. Her stories make me want to go back and read the Bible account or Biblical characters. I received a copy of this book from WaterBrook and Multnomah through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is book 2, and without reading book one, the prologue did a concise job of the overview of book 1, plus introducing everyone and their nicknames to where they were already friends. I WANT to read book 1, but I don't feel lost at all.

This is set during a very dark time in Israel's history, so it is not an easy or light read. But you get attached to these people and you'll grow while you join in their journey. I won't say that I didn't pray for them a time or two 🙃

Shulle's journey was every bit as powerful as Manasseh's. From a little girl who loved God, tricked and manipulated into something else entirely? And used to manipulate others? It's a powerful reminder that every interaction with our spouse and children matters.

Knowing the end before I started, I was able to read with hope. Living it? Applying that same hope to my life situations where I know the ultimate end of the story, but not the individual threads? Ouch! Not so easy.

I love reading books like this one, that really challenge me!

I received a copy of this book from @NetGalley and chose to review it here. All thoughts are my own as usual!

I have thoroughly enjoyed Isaiah’s Legacy! This book drew me in right from the start. I have read the Bible many times and knew that Hezekiah’s son Manasseh was a king that did not follow God. But the way Mesu Andrews wrote this story had me wanting to re-read the Bible story. God dealing with Manasseh’s heart was a wonderful thing. God always goes after that lost sheep. There were many great quotes in this book but this one stuck with me. “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” I loved the way Manasseh’s mother took up with Shulle and helped her see the real power of Yahweh, even though everything she was doing was against what Hephzibah believed. Andrews shows so well the one true God, His mercy and forgiveness through her characters. In the Bible days false idols were worshipped when they would forget God. But God’s loving arms were always outstretched even for the most evil king.
If you like Biblical Fiction I believe you would love this story that is dark but shows God’s faithfulness.
I requested a NetGalley copy from the publisher to read. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

"Isaiah's Legacy" continues the remarkable story Mesu Andrews began in "Isaiah's Daughter." It takes the reader through the dark days of the reign of King Manasseh (Nasseh) of Judah, considered to be one of the most wicked kings in Jewish history. The novel seamlessly weaves Biblical history, verifiable historical fact, and extra-Biblical legends in to a novel that is not to be missed.

The story of Manasseh is one few have ever tackled. What makes this novel stand out is that it lifts the curtain on the idolatrous religious practices of the era. You experience the darkness, what made these so vile, in a manner that is neither crude nor degrading to the reader. But you walk away with an understanding of why these practices were so abominable. This required a high level of artistry from the author.

Another unique aspect of this story that sets it apart from all other novels is the inclusion of high-functioning autistic characteristics into the person of Manasseh. This was not done to blame Manasseh's wickedness on autism. Autism informs the character, but does not dominate. At points in the story, other characters exploit Nasseh based on his difficulties. Nasseh makes his choice to reject God not based on autism, but on the tragedies of his life and the influence of others. Nasseh conquers self-stim behaviors in order to be able to rule as king. I am well aware that this may be controversial to some as someone who has been in the autism community for over twenty-five years. This portrayal was carefully and gracefully done.

Mesu Andrews describes Manasseh's story as one of the greatest prodigal stories in the Bible, and I cannot disagree. It is a beautiful tale of depravity, heart-breaking tragedy, and the hand of God moving through it all. To quote the book, "The blacker the darkness, the brighter God's spark." This novel is a masterpiece triumphing God's sovereignty in the midst of pain.

I received a NetGalley digital copy of the book to facilitate this review. The views and opinions expressed here are 100% 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.

Mesu Andrews did it again. And with characters caught up in evil that are somehow sympathetic. This novel begins with the story of Manasseh, yes the evil king who sacrificed his children to pagan gods. It follows his wife, Shulle, a priestess whose evil is cringeworthy and upsetting, but the grace... The story made me more sympathetic to people who fall away so easily from truth. It’s relatable if you’ve felt hurt or abandoned by God. Manasseh’s mental health is fascinating to follow and as I’m currently a nanny for a child with similar behaviors I could really relate.
I wasn’t sure where this book was headed and don’t want to give it away but it definitely kept me turning pages.
I never thought I’d like reading a book about an evil king who sacrificed his children, but the book is brilliant. I highly recommend it for people who love Christian fiction, especially biblical fiction, or someone who wants to go deeper into Isaiah’s time.

I was given a copy through netgalley for my honest review.

"Isaiah's Legacy" is the sequel to "Isaiah's Daughter" by Mesu Andrews. It is told from the perspective of Shulie, who is brought to young king Manasseh to assist in his education. Manasseh has long been held to be among the most evil of the kings, and yet much of that evil is played off in this book as Manasseh having a disorder...autism. Research is extremely important when writing Biblical fiction, but it was difficult to wrap my head around the use of such a diagnosis to explain such immoral and reprehensible behavior.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley and was not required to write a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

Isaiah's Legacy is another wonderful biblical fiction by the talented Mesu Andrews! I loved and enjoyed this story of the Prophets and Kings Series immensely! The creative mind of Andrews continues to marvel me - the spellbinding plot, endearing characters, beautiful prose, while staying true to Scriptures - are all the goodness in Isaiah's Legacy.

“Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years." - Isaiah 38:5

Albeit part of a series, this book can be read as standalone. The story picks up where Isaiah's Daughter left off where Yahweh has added another fifteen years to King Hezekiah's life after he prayed. As his time draws near, King Hezekiah is preparing his son and co-regent, the five year-old Manasseh, to be his successor - the next King of Judah who worships the only one true God. When the king is seeking a tutor for his son, the recent demoted Shebna, seizes this opportunity to thwart the king's plan. Shebna puts his beautiful eight year-old niece, Meshullemeth (Shulle), to be Manasseh's tutor. With her father's life at stake, Shulle acquiesces in learning the dark arts so she can sway and manipulates Manasseh through her charm and subtle ways. Hence, begin the tragic and tumultuous, and the rise and fall of King Manasseh who abandons Yahweh to seek pagan gods instead.

"Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel." - 2 Kings 21:1-2

Wow, this is one dramatic and tragic story of Manasseh and is narrated from Shulle's POV. I have never read one book by Mesu Andrews that I did not enjoy. She is a great storyteller when it comes to biblical fiction. Her creativity in explaining away or filling the gaps in Manasseh's life is believable while referencing and staying true to Scriptures. By just reading her book, one would know just how much research and effort has been put into it and I truly appreciate this! The characters are always given so much depth and dimensions.

In a nutshell, this is another great addition to the Prophets and Kings Series. I enjoyed it and highly recommend this to everyone. The storytelling is mellifluous and engaging and the plot is solid and consistent throughout the book. This story of rebellion and redemption draws me to Scriptures, and reminds me of Yahweh's faithfulness throughout history - "if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself." - 2 Timothy 2:13. There may be times when we do not understand His plans and to be honest we do not have to. All we need to do is trust Him and "hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23


***I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from WaterBrook & Multnomah through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed in this review are my own and was not influenced by the author, publisher or any third party.***