Daughter of Eden opens in a gloriously visceral manner, with the mists of the ground and the tickle of the river dancing upon the reader’s skin to transport us to that glorious garden and make it more real than I have ever experienced. Jill Eileen Smith writes to immerse us as completely as possible in the birthplace of God’s interaction with his creation. It is a gift to be savored sentence by sentence, sensation by sensation, and to really connect with the root of humanity. Smith slices into the Genesis we know and peels back a layer to reveal plausible insights into the lives and intentions of individuals I have never so thoroughly examined. The fall of man and inevitable change of relationships and personal perceptions are laid bare before the reader. I am sure it is possible to read Daughter of Eden as fiction and for enjoyment. However, I am not able to do that. Each section, sometimes just an individual sentence, needed to be mulled and savored before I could progress. It is worth every bit of the work of reading and rereading.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

I cannot imagine how hard it may be to write a story about Eve. She lived a life that none of us can imagine, and yet due to her and Adam's choices, we are all affected to this day.

This story begins before the fall and shows us what it might have been like to live in perfect peace and harmony with God and nature and your spouse. We follow Eve's life through the fall, the first days and weeks after, all the way up to the end of her life. Some of the things that really stood out to me was what it would have been like to have your life so changed, that there was no going back. To lose your home and the closeness with your husband. To lose the relationship with God. She nor Adam knew what the first birth would be like. Nor could they have understood the pain of one child killing another. Watching the whole world turn more evil and the realization that these are your kids, your grandkids. Wow.

The evil thoughts of Lucifer towards God's most precious were chilling. The plans he devised were disturbing. But he is all that is evil. Yet, he is predictable, and he has already been crushed.

Of all the other stories I have read about Eve, this one tackled her story in a very human and realistic way showing me that she was a woman with hopes and dreams trying to carve out life after such a glorious beginning and after a most horrible choice. May we all learn a lesson or two from our first parents' lives.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

I wrestled with this story based on my own feelings regarding Eve and her role as mother of all living. I found the perspective of the author to be unique and brought a lot of detail and feeling based on very limited source material.

The author used the words to paint a lovely picture of the garden as well as a picture of the challenges that came after the fall. I empathized with a woman that had to give birth with no supports aside from her husband because there was no one else.

This story evoked many feelings and brought me to the Bible to find answers to questions I had during the reading. The story was well written even though my own perspective left me unsettled. I suppose that is the purpose when we are looking at scriptural stories.

The story explores the same feeling that we all struggle with, knowing of God's love for us, individually. That message shines through.

I was given an early copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review

I knew I’d love Daughter of Eden: Eve’s Story before I ever read a word, because it’s written by Jill Eileen Smith. I’ve loved every single book I’ve read authored by this brilliant storyteller. Her Biblical fiction is astonishing, making scriptural characters and events come to life. In this story, the opening scene of the creation of the angels, sets the tone for the rest of the book so nicely.

I’m delighted to meet Eve in a new way, seeing and living life though her eyes and experiences. Especially when she and Adam felt separated from God. What an emotional time. There are several points of view throughout, but I connected deepest with Eve and empathized with her doubt, guilt, and shame.

I love the title, storytelling style, beautiful messages, and the gorgeous cover art! This is Biblical Fiction at its finest.

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

Jill Eileen Smith has taken a bible story that has so little information about it in the bible, and truly made it come to life. It was so fun to read her take on Adam and Eve and their journey. The emotion they had throughout the entire book really spoke to me. Made me think about how it must have truly been to be the first people created, but also the first people to sin. Even reading about some of Lucifer's thoughts in the process really makes you realize the reason we do sin. The tempter is out there and is real. He tempts us on a daily basis.

Do we know that these were their exact thoughts and how everything went? No. That's the fun of biblical fiction. You can fictionalize, use your imagination and run with it. When I read my bible, I try to imagine the scene in my head, and sometimes that includes a little ficitonalization - especially with tone and facial expressions. The thing we need to do is distinguish that we understand it's not actually God's Word. It's an author's interpretation of what could have happened. As long as we know that going in, and rely on the Bible as the only True Word of God, then we're good.

Back to Smith's story. It really just opened my eyes and made my connect with this Bible figures even more. It made me want to dive back into Genesis and see what nuggets of information she gleaned from it. Made me want to dive into references and historical documents to see if I could find anything on my own. That's the beauty of biblical fiction to me. It makes me want to learn more.

If you enjoy biblical fiction then I highly recommend Daughter of Eden. And grab your bible while you're reading it. Look up verses as you read and see where the similarities are. I think it'll make for a fun reading experience.

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

In this work of historical fiction the author breathes life into Adam and Eve. We follow how their lives might have been from the time they lived in the Garden of Eden and afterwards. Skillfully, in this rendering they both become very real to readers as they face the new world they live in. Relationships are examined and struggles are faced that are not so different from the ones many of us face today. This moving and thought provoking story brings the ancient world to life and is well worth reading.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

For me it’s always fascinating to see how people interpret and expand upon Biblical people and places. I think it would be hard to bring to life a person who is in the most widely read book in the world.

Jill’s book which is biblical fiction doesn’t just speculate on Eve’s life as the first mother. This book also gives the otherworldly element of the devil and his quest to control humanity. The story also has a lot about Enoch (who I actually had to look up) as he was a descendant of Eve and didn’t die but was taken up to heaven alive.

In this book, Eve has over 50 children and seen a son murdered by another son. She forges a life by learning how to do everything with little to no guidance. She constantly regrets her decision of disobeying God. She lives to see many generations of her offsprings as they move, have different beliefs, and create new cities.

Overall, it’s an interesting read.

It's easy to read through Adam and Eve's story in the Bible and not put too much deep thought into what that must have been like for them. I loved that this story causes us to really think about how Eve may have been tricked and how their lives might have unfolded after their fall.

I received an advance e-copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Biblical historical fiction is a great genre. I’ve read quite a few books along these lines but never showcasing the first man and woman. Jill Eileen Smith has done a fantastic job fleshing out a story with very little to go on for source material.

Daughter of Eden helps readers to conceptualize what it might have been like to walk with God and then be cast out from His presence. I especially enjoyed her imagining of Enoch’s special relationship with God.

It is difficult to build tension with a well known story. The climax fell a little flat for me. Writing style may have played a role. It is a bit samey and repetitive throughout the story, especially considering that the story covers hundreds of years. Having said that, Jill Eileen Smith is clearly a seasoned author, the consistency reveals that.

I have already recommended Daughter of Eden to a friend. I look forward to trying another book by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for providing this ebook for review.

This book was clearly well researched. Of course some liberty was taken, because it's fiction, but the author stayed true to the Bible in her telling.
I loved this story and the way I was able to get a new perspective on this important time in our creation.

I enjoy indulging in a good Biblical/historical fiction book as a mental break from my typical nonfiction genre. Daughter of Eden: Eve’s Story was the delightful break my mind needed. I enjoyed the unveiling of how the original humans discovered things for the first time, how civilization was borne, and the growing pains that accompanied a fallen society.

I found myself drawn to the actual Scripture in Genesis to refresh myself on the recorded facts versus the artfully-crafted fill-in details by author Jill Eileen Smith.

With the focus on Eve and how her sin tainted humankind, it was both believable and heartbreaking to see how her decision continued to weigh on both Eve and Adam for the remainder of their lives. I enjoyed the glimpses into the spiritual world of both good and evil and felt the struggles of the people as not being so different from those we face today. We can strive to be more like Seth and Enoch or we can live life according to our human desires. This choice has not changed since Eve was tempted to eat the apple.

The first third is painfully real, as Eve struggles with guilt and Adam with anger. They deal with the loss of closeness with God, and struggle to rekindle any amount of connection with him (are they worthy, will he answer, do they dare...).

Watching them trying to figure out how to survive as the first humans was fascinating. Discoveries, trial and error, and the very relatable exhaustion of being a mother with any number of kids and no help because the only other adult around is busy with crops and animals and other necessary survival things.

As the population grows, the focus shifts to different dynamics of interpersonal relationships, and Eve struggles to help her offspring trust God and worship him whom they cannot see

Although it was hard, I really enjoyed the depth of this one.

I received an advance copy from Netgalley and chose to review it here. All thoughts are my own.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with a retelling of Eve. I just knew that it would be unexpected and unique to me. This book expanded all my expectations and opened my imagination to the time before Noah. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this book covers Eve’s whole life from the time of creation to her final breath. I enjoyed the different perspectives as they reflected Adam, Eve, and their descendants. The characters felt real as they struggled to create a society that honoured God. The first murder and separation of the family was poignant and just the start. There were so many characters that I connected to as they struggled with sin after a perfect place with God. This is an amazing biblical fiction that is worth reading!

I received an arc from the Revell Publishing in exchange for a honest review.

Daughter of Eden: Eve’s Story by Jill Eileen Smith shows us what it could have possibly been like during the time of Adam and Eve, all surrounding the time during the book of Genesis in the Bible. This was my first book by her and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this story.

It is a biblical fiction featuring real bible “characters”, primarily Adam, Eve, their children (mostly Cain and Abel). We also have chapters from Lucifer and how he fell and became the devil – the deceptive, cunning serpent. It follows many year, encompassing most of Adam and Eve’s life.

4 stars

This book is a fictionalized work of what it could have been like during the time of Adam and Eve at the creation of the world. It was really interesting to see how they may have spoke to one another, dialogue together, with God and with their children. It was also interesting to see how they may have ate, figured out how to be “the first” parents of the world etc. I feel like the author did a great job creating a story for us, while interweaving God’s truths and scripture throughout the story.

Seeing how Eve may have reacted or handled her sin when she made the mistake of eating the fruit and being deceived by the serpent was probably the most interesting for me. I had some mixed feelings on some of how Adam and Eve would have interacted together, but overall enjoyed the story and portrayal. It was emotional to read the depiction of the fall of humanity – I feel like Jill did a wonderful job with that description.

The best part about this story is it made me go back to Genesis and read my bible to see God’s word and compare it to this fictionalized work. Very thought provoking as many other reviewers have stated. To see how Adam and Eve could have possibly grieved what Cain did to Abel was also very eye opening.

Overall, the author did a great job portraying what it could have been like during this time and many parts touched my heart and sprit. The ending was beautiful and made me a bit emotional as a woman because she so beautifully portrayed how we are not perfect, but God still loves us. Thank you to Baker Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy to honestly read and review.

It is always interesting to imagine the thoughts of biblical characters whose names and actions we know, but whose motives and imaginings we do not. In this biblical novel, Jill Eileen Smith, presents us with a carefree, naive Eve who succumbs to temptation and deception and then lives a lengthy life of regret. I never really imagined the learning curve that Adam and Eve may have faced after leaving Eden. Struggles, regret, guilt, relationship challenges, hard toil, and fear that she has lost God's love are issues that Eve faces after sin enters their lives. Hope for the promised redeemer and yearning for his appearance during her lifetime also occupy much of her thoughts and yearnings. A novel that illustrates that sadness and sin are more than casual metaphors.

Wow! I loved Daughter of Eden: Eve's Story. It was a fabulous read. I loved the beautiful settings and the descriptions of the hidden realm. Ms. Smith did a wonderful job contrasting the difference between life in the garden and life after the fall. I was fascinated by her descriptions of how sin snowballed with each generation. I sincerely hope that in the near future Ms. Smith will write a sequel detailing Noah's life and the difference from before the flood to after. I highly recommend Daughter Of Eden to anyone who may be interested in how the beginning may have happened.

I was given a copy of Daughter Of Eden with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

I love biblical fiction and I consider Jill Eileen Smith to be one of the premier authors of this genre. In this book, she weaves fiction and the first book of the Bible into an engrossing tale that centers around Adam, Eve, and many of the others mentioned in the early chapters of Genesis. Smith helps us to imagine the views of Cain, Abel, Seth, Enoch, and Methuselah, along with the intriguing thoughts of Archangel Michael and Lucifer! What I especially loved is that she gives Eve the human traits of so many of us women! Wives who wonder if their husbands are losing interest and mothers who fear for their children's physical safety and pray for their spiritual health. From the time that she realizes that she's pregnant, Eve worries that her actions in the Garden will hinder her children's relationship with God! She experiences many "What ifs" and often questions if she has been truly forgiven? Yes, I know that these are fictional details, but they make her so very relatable!

Smith's descriptive powers helped me visualize the beauty of the Garden and feel the overwhelming peace that Adam and Eve experienced in that holy place. A peace that was shattered by their disobedience, along with the beautiful innocence that was forever destroyed! Daughter of Eden: Eve's Story is the painful story of being separated from God but a wonderful affirmation of the redemption that is available to all mankind. It is a beautiful story that clearly demonstrates God's gift of salvation!

Believers will certainly appreciate this book but it's a story for all readers to enjoy and savor! I pray that it spurs us to refer to the Bible for the original story, and I believe that it would be a wonderful addition to a women's study group.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Revell. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

"Daughter of Eden: Eve's Story" is the latest release by well-known and acclaimed Biblical Fiction author, Jill Eileen Smith. The novel seeks to tell the story of Eve through her own eyes, through her experiences with creation, the garden, the Fall, and her long-life span on the earth. It strives to peel back the veil on what Eve experienced with temptation, becoming a mother, grandmother, and still wanting to walk with God while dealing with the weight of the choice she made to sin.


The premise of the book is a wonderful one. However, the book veers greatly in focus in the telling of the story. Sometimes it shifts to Adam, Cain, Seth, Enoch, and various other characters' perspectives. As such, the narration and narrative become a bit disjointed. This is where the title does the book a great disservice. Had the title been more encompassing, then these segways to other voices would have been natural and expected. However, since this book is titled, "Eve's Story" the reader anticipates a more linear narrative from predominately the main character's point of view.

My second bone of contention is with the depiction of Adam post-Fall. Adam is sullen, prone to angry outbursts, and sex crazed. It is literally a modern stereotypical characterization of man. Across the man's nine-hundred-year lifespan, he does not change. He doesn't even tell Eve he loves her until about year eight hundred. I expected a far more nuanced version of him considering he once was the perfect man and then fell into sin.

Eve's portrayal is also a bit uneven at times. She struggles with being a mom to her first two children, but when the story leaps ahead and she has dozens, she is super mom with no issues. She barely is affected by the death of Abel and is ready to marry off his widow within hours of his death. However, later on in the book when one of her daughters dies, then she is shown with intense grief. Eve's quick forgiveness of Cain is completed without any semblance of emotional struggle. (Adam actually gets a better storyline here.) She bares dozens upon dozens of children that she seems to barely have any relationship with, but has an incredibly close one with Enoch, her grandson. It's hard to get a handle on who she is as a person when there are so many fits and starts to the story.

My final issue is with the cover art. I am so disheartened to see a very white woman on this cover when she was most likely a woman of color. I think it does a great disservice to our brothers and sisters in faith around the world to keep portraying our first parents as white.

Overall, the novel lacks centrality of focus that limits it from being the great novel it could have been. I was given an advanced reader copy of the novel as part of the Revell Reads blogger team. All opinions expressed are my own.

Jill Eileen Smith's newest release imagines life after Eden for Adam and Eve. The book of Genesis mentions three of Adam and Eve's children: Cain, Abel and Seth. But geneticists, by tracing the DNA patterns found in people throughout the world, have now identified lineages that may be descended from 10 sons of a genetic Adam and 18 daughters of Eve. Smith hypothesizes in his fiction novel of the lineages of these descendants, cities they may have started away from Adam and Eve and which of the children may have continued to follow God and which turned away to a different lifestyle. The Bible definitely shows us that Cain after the murder of Able was turned away from the family by God and becomes wrapped in the immorality of Lucifer.

Although they book started rather slowly, it becomes more and more interesting as it continues and captures your attention as you follow what might have happened to Adam and Eve as well as their descendants. It was interesting to follow Adam and Eve as they managed to figure out ways to meet their everyday needs since there was no one to show or teach them. Smith also shows how the increased immorality and distance from God by many of the descendants prepares the way for the future flood of the earth by God.

Well written Biblical fiction that provides an interesting perspective of what life might have been like for Adam and Eve after their fall and expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

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

A fictional account of what life could have been like in Eden. It then continues to show how Adam and Eve survived after they were banished. It follows their many children and provides an opportunity to see not only how Cain’s actions affect them all, but also Seth’s. It also provides glimpses into what is going on in the spiritual realm.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!