THE APOSTLE’S SISTER BY ANGELA HUNT

This is the first time I am reading Angela Hunt books and I admire her style of writing.

The book plot is a biblical retelling of Apostle Paul. This author did a nice job writing about his fictional family particularly his younger sister, Aya.

I love the book cover and the suspense in the book.

Although, I was busy with responsibilities, I was able to read the book during my free hours.

The meals in this book made me hungry and I could envy the people in the Bible says over their choice of meals.

Overall, this is a good book. I am rating it 4 out of 5 stars.

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

Biblical fiction is one of my favorite genres and Angela Elwell Hunt does an excellent job of bringing history to life in her books. The Apostle's Sister is no exception. The author brings readers a thoroughly captivating read as she fleshes out the story of Aya, the Apostle Paul's sister. Her name may be fictional but it is known that Paul did indeed have a sister and seeing her in a fictional account is quite interesting. 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 the depth of emotions of the characters. In the many times that I'd read the Biblical accounts of Paul, I'd given little thought to his family. Readers who enjoy Biblical historical fiction will not want to miss The Apostle's Sister. I received a complimentary copy of the book from LibraryThing and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

I hate writing reviews like this. I hate not liking a book when I am sure I will.

First, let me say that it is clear that Ms. Hunt thoroughly researched this book. That is evident in the descriptions of the area, homes, meals and the food served. However, the book is about Paul's (Sha`ul before his conversion) sister but the plot didn't give way for me to connect to her. In a lot of ways, I felt as though I was reading a textbook not a fictional novel. I picked it up and tried reading it several different times trying to connect with Aya and I just couldn't.
So, my inability to connect with Aya and the story isn't Ms. Hunt's writing it's me the reader.

My biggest complaint about this book which in my opinion falls on the publisher, not Ms. Hunt is there was no character list or word glossary for Hebrew words so I spent a good portion of my reading time looking up words.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have really been enjoying the Jerusalem Road series. All the books have been very good. I thought the series was finished after A Woman of Words, and was surprised when I saw The Apostle’s Sister. Of course, I wanted to read this one, too! I was not disappointed.
Aya grew up in Tarsus, a Jewish girl in a Gentile city. Her older brother Sha’ul had been sent to Jerusalem at age 10 to study Torah, but now he was coming home to get married—and she was to be married at the same time. She didn’t want to get married; she wanted to use the gifts HaShem had given her! However, as an obedient Jewish girl, she would do as her parents had arranged. Neither did Sha’ul want to get married, but because it was a requirement to sit on the Sanhedrin, he would, as well.
Soon, both Sha’ul and Aya, and their spouses, were living in Jerusalem, where the men studied and the women kept house. After a few years, however, Sha’ul made a decision that changed his life, as well as Aya’s and her husband’s. Could they talk him out of it? After tragedy struck, Aya struggled to make sense of everything that happened. Would she ever be able to understand what Sha’ul had done? What did Yeshua have to do with his life, or hers, for that matter?
The apostle of the title, of course, is Paul. We know from one verse in Acts that he had a sister, and that’s all we know about her. Angela Hunt has written a story that makes her a very real person, though. I can easily imagine almost everything in The Apostle’s Sister happening—there is just one scene near the end that is slightly far-fetched. Even so, there is Scriptural backing for that scene! This is a good way to bring the Apostle Paul to life, and I enjoyed it nearly as much as my favorite book in this series (I think I liked The Shepherd’s Wife best). If you enjoy Biblical fiction, you will enjoy this book.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
WARNING: In chapter 9, Sha’ul’s wedding night is described—not graphically, but one sentences does talk about his bride’s physical appearance. In chapter 16, Aya talks about her husband “loving” her. In chapter 39, a man desires Aya.

The theology and historical information is incredibly deep and fascinating, and yet manages to be entirely readable!

I ended up with the flu so it took a week to read, instead of the day I had planned. Having the next bit to look forward to, hen nursing myself and my family was great. Even when I couldn't focus on anything, I was rehashing the first 40% of the story.

The way we got to switch between Aya and Saul's pov and even receive a few 'letters' from him to Aya was awesome. I love how the author is able to take the scriptures about Paul and weave him a believable back story that absolutely captivates.

As usual, she has a section at the back of the book that divides fact from fiction, which is a great feature for understanding.

Aya's love of music and her talent set a fun, rebellious, helpful backdrop for this strong independent, faithful lady I would love to be friends with. And that her best friend and neighbor is blind and has a creative husband who goes above and beyond to help her live fully is great!

I received a copy of the book from #netgalley and the publisher, and chose to review it here. All thoughts are my own.

Not surprisingly, this book is set in the first century and takes place in Jerusalem and Tarsus. The apostle of reference is Paul, previously known as Saul of Tarsus. known for his zeal as Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, as well as an undeterred preacher of the Gospel. In this fictionalized story, his sister grows up in his shadow, and the story provides the backdrop for exploring the customs and teachings of the Jewish people during this time period. I didn't find the main character Aya likeable, but I appreciated her point of view. Two things I loved about this book, besides the fact that it was about the life of Paul, were that it taught me more about the Bible mentally, but it also ministered to me spiritually. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand more about the beginning of Christianity and how it relates to the Old Testament and Judaism.

Thoroughly enjoyed seeing what a strong willed Jewish woman might have faced during biblical times.

The story of the apostle Paul's sister, Aya as she struggled with conforming to what was expected if her according to the laws of society and her internal struggle of becoming who she desired, yet maintaining her faith, was beatifully written.

Although the story was a bit slow at times, it was so worth the read

I recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

I have enjoyed all of the books in this series, but I think this was my favorite. I loved headstrong, talented Aya. She was the perfect sister for Saul and his legalism. The deep dive into Hebrew culture and politics was fascinating. I would love more books in this series on the characters in the early church. I highly recommend this book to readers who are fans of biblical fiction.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley for the purpose of review.

(3.5 / 5)

Though Aya, daughter of Zebulon of Tarsus, is only marrying the man chosen by her parents out of duty, she enjoys being a wife, and later, a mother, more than she expected. Though she'd like to use the talent for singing given to her by God in some way, she's contented herself with following His will, however he chooses to use her. But when her brother, a Pharisee and member of the powerful Sanhedrin, surprises everyone by converting to following the Nazarene who was crucified a few years past, Aya and her family face some persecution from their fellow Jews in Jerusalem, and Aya is not sure how to reconcile her love for her brilliant brother with her family's long-time religious traditions.

I think I'll be in the minority with this book, like I was with the previous in the series. Not that I didn't like it, but I didn't like it as much as most seem to. Aya frustrated me early on, as I think she lets her desire to sing for people define her too much. I also don't think there needed to be such a focus on the newlywed activities. It felt like the story didn't really get going until both siblings were married, like it was something we had to get through first, but I didn't really understand why it was all so important.

I think the other reason that the story didn't work as well for me is that I couldn't really connect very well to one of the two main characters. The perspective alternates between Aya and her older brother, Sha'ul (the apostle Paul). But once Sha'ul had converted to Christianity, his perspective is barely shown. When it is, it's mostly just to tell us about events that we can read about in the book of Acts. Overall, it seemed shallow to me. Not much happened that I couldn't have predicted, and I didn't connect to the characters much as we sped through months and years of time.

The idea of what the family of the man who wrote many books of the Bible went through when he went against the tradition of the day to follow Jesus is an interesting premise. I felt it could have been explored more deeply, but I do think that many other fans of Biblical fiction will enjoy it more than I did.

Angela Elwell Hunt is among the best Biblical fiction writers. This story is told from the point of view of Ava, a young Roman woman, who is the sister of Sha'ul who is studying in Jerusalem to become a rabbi. When Ava marries Avidan who is also studying to become a rabbi, they move from Rome to Jerusalem. There Sha'ul, Avidan, and Ava are exposed to the Christian groups who believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Will this change their lives and lead them to become believers, and will one of them become a mighty apostle for Jesus Christ?

Well written with excellent historical research and Biblical foundation. Hunt brings this fictional story to life and gives the reader a picture of what was happening in Jerusalem as new Christians spread the message of Jesus Christ.

This book reads well as a stand alone even though it is the fourth in her Jerusalem Road series.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

This book was so good! I loved how Angela Hunt interpreted this section of the Bible. She did a very good job of staying true to the Bible while making these characters come to life.

*I received a complimentary copy of this this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. *

I was not that impressed with this book right from the beginning, but maybe because this is book 4 in a series. Aya is the sister of Paul the Apostle. But this is set before then. Her parents have arranged weddings for both Aya and Saul (Paul). She does not want to, but is forced to go through this. When she moves to Jerusalem and her brother has changed over to the belief of Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah, what will she do? This is a very hard decision for her, for her husband is learning the Torah. You will need to read this to find out.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review.

The Apostle’s Sister becomes available for sale June 7, 2022.

The Apostle’s Sister is the fourth book in Angela Hunt’s Jerusalem Road series, but can easily be read on its on. This is the parallel story of Aya and her brother Sha’ul, whom we know better as the Apostle Paul. This is an interesting fictional account of what their lives might have been like. It is full of Jewish festivities and traditions common to that era. Fans of Biblical fiction are sure to love this one.

I received a copy from the publisher and Net Galley. The opinions are my own.

"O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how incomprehensible His ways!" This is a quote from Sha'ul in the book of Romans (Romans 11:33) and from the book I just read, but have been waiting for since I began the series. This quote explains how I felt when I read this book: The Apostle's Sister, by Angela Hunt, which is book 4 in her Jerusalem Road series. She is one of my favorite authors, and after I read her book, I felt that I understood the Jewish faith a little better, and how God sent Jesus to reconcile the Jews and the Gentiles (non-Jews) to Himself and to each other through a great story about a brother and sister that I really didn't want to end!

The book is the story of Aya, a young Jewish woman from Tarsus, who loves and respects her Jewish faith, but feels that HaShem (Hebrew word used for God) may have a different plan for her than just getting married and having children. She wants to do that someday, but since HaShem has blessed her with a beautiful voice, it has caused her to consider what His plans for her may be. Her parents have always supported her gift and allowed her to use it, but now that she's of an age to get married, they want her to fulfill what Torah (1st 5 books of the Bible) commands in this regard which is to marry and be fruitful and multiply. Aya loves HaShem and wants to obey but she isn't sure why she feels a pull from Him to do more, so she decides to talk to her brother about it.

Ana's brother Sha'ul, is a Pharisee and loves HaShem, and above all wants to do nothing other than to study His word! His father was a tent maker from Tarsus who always wanted to study Torah and become a Pharisee, but had to realize his dream through his son, Sha'ul. So he sent Sha'ul to study under the best, which at that time was Rabbi Gamaliel. Sha'ul had learned from the best, and he was completely devoted to his calling from HaShem but since he wanted to be a part of the Sanhedrin, which was the highest office of elders in Israel, but to be a part of this group you must be married as Torah states, so Sha'ul went back to Tarsus to allow his father to choose his bride for him as was tradition.

On this trip home, Sha'ul is greeted by his sister, and they have an honest heart to heart about tradition and HaShem's calling on each of their lives. Both weren't as excited about marrying but decided to obey HaShem's command, and to trust Him with the rest, which was the best thing they both could do. So they both marry, and HaShem does do amazing things in each of them and through each if them!!
To find out more, you will have to read this amazing book!!

What I really learned through this story is to not just take someone's word for what is truth, which is a scenario Aya faces in this story. She has been taught one thing all her life, but then she is faced with something she her brother shares with her, and is totally new to her, she is totally closed to at first, but then HaShem begins to open her eyes on the outside to what He is showing her, and then He opens her heart to His truth. I love that about our God!!

From Sha'ul I learned that I must not be swift to judge others, and to seek God in prayer as well as His word! He showed must not just sift my beliefs through my own heart and mind or the heart & minds of others, but must rely on the Holy Spirit to guide me as He did Sha'ul's which you will understand as you read more! I also was able to understand more of God's grace through Sha'ul's life. He was a man who wanted to please God, but ended up doing terrible things because he was being misguided, but was shown the truth by Yeshua (Jesus) and not only forgiven and redeemed, but He used him to touch many many others throughout the years, and even me!

So I highly recommend this book to you! I would give it 5 out of 5 stars. But to be honest, since I am someone who reads the word a lot I wasn't sure at first about a few things Angela Hunt wrote in this story, but felt God said to keep reading (always pray when alarms ho off), but all my questions were answered in the "question and answer" portion of the back where she explains the reasons she wrote what she did! Then she also listed her sources, so again I sifted her words thru the Bible, and i found her story to be fiction, but it stays true to God's word! And literally ever time I read one of her books, i draw closer to HaShem and Yeshua and the Ruach Ha-Kodesh. Again when you read this story you will learn who these are! Take time to read it, as you will not be disappointed!

Touching and convicting, The Apostle’s Sister follows Paul’s sister Aya as she discovers her place in the world and learns how to find beauty amid the ashes of disappointment and grief. It’s not a story driven by high-paced action and gripping tension, but rather a deeply soulful tale about a woman much like you and me who learns that the only one who can satisfy her heart is the One who walks the valley with her. Perfect for fans of heartfelt biblical fiction, this story is a gentle yet powerful exploration of human suffering and God’s purpose in it.

Characters:

Aya was a strong female character, but not in the way that is so often portrayed in fiction. Her strength was the inward, non-flashy kind. The quiet kind of courage that refuses to give up in the face of defeat, but shines like a jewel in the night. That’s what I loved most about her.

I instantly connected with her over our shared love for music and desire to be more than just a homemaker. Don’t get me wrong—I greatly desire to be a mother someday, but I also want to make room for my writing and music. However, I appreciated that while Aya was a woman ahead of her time in many ways, she was still respectful of her parents’ wishes and obedient to HaShem’s will for her. That kind of submissive sacrifice of one’s own desires is deeply admirable and something we need to see more of in YA fiction today.

Another thing I loved about her—she didn’t have the exuberant, dominant personality traits that we so often see in character roles that push the bounds of society. She was gentle, thoughtful, selfless, and didn’t seek the spotlight. And that, I think, made her all the more multi-faceted and interesting. Of course, she still had plenty to learn throughout the story, but her maturity at such a young age stands out as a shining example young people should follow.

I also found it fascinating to get a glimpse into what the personality and life of the apostle Paul might have been like before his conversion, especially why he might have decided not to marry (possibly a second time). I especially found it insightful how his zeal for the Law transferred over to his zeal for Yeshua and Christianity. He was such a good big brother to Aya—always encouraging her in her music and offering her sound advice. I would have liked to have seen more of him after his conversion though.

Plot:

While some readers might find the plot on the slow side, it’s a beautiful, masterfully woven testimony to the working of God, dramatically culminating in the moment Aya sees Yeshua for who He is. While there is a good amount of action and excitement to keep you reading, it’s the deep character insights and moving portrayals that will draw you in on every page.

The historical detail was well-executed. I found the musical elements especially fascinating since I knew very little about biblical instruments. The carefully-placed details added depth and color to Aya’s world and a fascinating window into early Christianity. I did find a few mistakes about biblical characters that stuck out to me, but for the most part, the story seemed well-researched.

Themes:

Life often doesn’t go the way we imagined, and The Apostle’s Sister explores that reality honestly, while showing us that it doesn’t have to end in bitterness and disappointment. This story is a touching reminder that God is active and present in every part of our lives, using even the blackest threads to lovingly weave a masterpiece. It’s an invitation to trust, to place our hand in His, and allow Him to lead us wherever He would have us to go even when it’s different from our plans. As Aya’s mother says, “When HaShem closed a door, He opened a window.”

Aya longed to be seen. She longed for others to see her as more than what society expected of her. To see her gift and to know her for who she really was. To see her pain and walk with her in it. She found all that in Yeshua. “I weep with you,” Yeshua told Aya. And He does the same for us.

I appreciated that Aya’s change of heart happened gradually. Her story is a beautiful testimony to how God uses scores of “coincidences”, encounters, and people in our lives to reveal the truth and slowly chip away at the walls we have built around our hearts. And because of those threads woven so carefully throughout the story, her conversion at the end was all the more powerful because it only made sense for it to happen.

If there’s one thing I take away from this story, it’s this: that while God does not always take away our pain, He always walks through it with us. With Aya, I hope to say, “I would trust that everything in my life, even the suffering and waiting, was for God’s glory. So others might believe.”

Content: Two wedding nights are briefly described, but nothing is explicit. A woman dies in childbirth, and the embalming process is briefly described.

Another wonderful biblical historical novel by Angela Hunt! This is the 4th book in the Jerusalem Road series, but is not connected story-wise to the others, so it can definitely be read on its own. They are connected solely as taking place in the time of Jesus's ministry and immediately following. This one follows Aya, the Apostle Paul's sister. Though her name is never given in scripture (and so that was fictional), we do know that Paul had a sister because her son learned of the plot in Jerusalem for his life and told Paul and the Roman guard. Knowing he had a sister and speculating on what her life must have been like as being the sister of the young member of the Sanhedrin whose zeal persecuted members of The Way to being the sister of one who converted to following Yeshua was something I hadn't considered. Aya has always lived in Saul's shadow, both because he was firstborn, but also because he was intelligent and ambitious and climbed the ranks quickly to get to the scholar status he did when he became a persecutor of Christians. In this story, Aya longs to be a singer and use the gift HaShem has given to her, but because she is a woman, she is expected to marry and bear children. I enjoyed watching her goals change and her character grow and develop throughout the story and through various hardships. I enjoyed seeing her mother's advice play out for her as well and see how she grew to appreciate being a wife and mother. In addition, I enjoyed learning more about Tarsus and its demographics and how that played both into Paul's Roman citizenship, but also how he related to the Gentiles. There was a lot of good history in this one that I'd taken for granted in my Bible reading. As always in Biblical fiction, I encourage fellow readers to read the author's note at the end which tells what was factual and what was fiction in the story and to always lean upon the actual Bible as their source of truth. I think this one is my favorite of this series and I really enjoyed learning more about Jerusalem in the time of the early church and learning more about where Paul came from and speculating how his choices impacted his family. If you enjoy Biblical fiction, this is one I'd definitely recommend! Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

The Apostle's Sister by Angela Hunt is a cornucopia of possibilities that look behind the curtain of the Apostle Paul's life and his sister's.

Call me shocked, but I did not realize Paul had a sister! It is such a brief mention in the Scriptures that you almost pass by it (Acts 23:16). Kudos to the author for developing a rich story that was entertaining and informative. I greatly appreciated the look at Jewish life, the prayers, the rituals and, more importantly, the glimpse into the Scriptures that all point to Jesus as the Messiah.

Filled with wonderfully detailed observations, the author has captured Paul's life before he found Jesus. The transformation is all the more poignant when we can take that journey with him. Each chapter flips between Paul (Shu'al) and his sister Aya. They come from a devout Jewish family rooted in Pharisaic traditions. We get inside Paul's mind, but we also look at his sister, who is struggling to fulfill her heart's desire (to sing) while obeying the Law and its many rules.

As the book progresses and Paul turns from persecuting Christians to becoming one, Aya struggles with how to deal with her blasphemous brother. Aya's gripping story will have readers rooting for her to succeed in her music and believe in Jesus as the Messiah.

While this is the fourth book in the Jerusalem Road series, it can be read alone. If you like Biblical fiction, you will want to read this one. I highly recommend it!

I received a review copy from Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

I'd never read an Angela Hunt book before, so I jumped at the chance to read this. The title itself intrigued me. I felt, though, that she put some modern day thinking into Aya's desires. I didn't care for that, but it all balanced out in the end.

I loved seeing the Hebrew prayers and the different names of God. I'm a sucker for the historical side of things like those ancient prayers that I think are still said today among the Jewish people. I also really liked seeing the wedding rituals. It gives a whole new perspective on being the bride of Christ, and what that means. The questions and answers at the end also helped clear things up; I had never before thought of Paul having a sister. How I've managed to skip over that in Scripture all these years is beyond me! The oral traditions fascinate me, too. I'd never read any of them before.

I did have a hard time remembering who was speaking in each chapter. The voices didn't "sound" any different to me.

All in all, a solid read.

*I received this book for review. All opinions are my own.*

The Apostle's Sister was such an interesting book. I felt like it really gave a good look at life in the first century in the Holy Land and the characters were strong and believable. It was interesting seeing the development of the main character and her brother Saul of Tarsus (later Paul). I kept rooting for her and her salvation along the journey and liked her. I felt bad during her times of trial and cheered her successes. I recommend this book.

It is always a real treat to read Angela Elwell Hunt books. She brings out details of the culture and interweaves a complex but simple character. All of it is relatable and all of it turns you to the scriptures.

At the end of the book, Angela will share the research that was done in weaving this beautiful story of Saul (who later was called Paul) and his sister. The narration is done between brother and sister Aya during the time of Jesus' ministry and beyond. If you recall, Saul is the one that prosecuted and killed many Christians. You are brought back in time of the Jewish culture. The privilege of being a Pharisee/teacher of the law, marriage and the traditions of faith. In those times and for the safety of of Jewish women, families would arrange marriages. Aya wanted something more. She loved her music and felt God had given her a gift to share. The contrast between her parents wishes and her own desires played out and it gave the reader a sense of what was at stake.

The relationship between Aya and her brother was of adoration and then when Saul had his encounter with Christ, it had changed. The narration also includes the scriptures that reveal who Jesus was and how difficult it was for the Jewish people to see their redeemer. A book like this only increases your desire to know Christ more and that God is good. It connects the dots to Old Testament to New. Highly recommend.

A special thank you to Bethany House and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.