2.75/5 stars Another book I just could not get into. I'm not religious, but I'm fascinated by religion. I keep looking for a specific type of book, but unfortunately this just wasn't it. Jesus was all about loving thy neighbor and not judging others, but every man in this book was just as woman hating as the rest. The main male character Yakov literally wishes to God that he hadn't made women. Even women hate other women, and I'm just sick of this narrative. You would think, them being disciples of Jesus, they'd be more loving and forgiving, but that was definitely not the case. Really disappointing read. The writing was good, and that's the only reason it isn't a 2 star rating.

The start of Christianity is the story of this interesting and fast moving story. Ms Duarte has crafted a very likely account. I was drawn to it because of the animosity I have read and heard may have existed between Paul and James, and others. I read with great interest as reasons for many possibilites were given with a human story line that makes them all part of us. A very possible story. But then who knows?