Magda Reveal by Ursula Werner, This is supposed to be a retelling of the days of Jesus from Mary’s viewpoint but instead of going through all of she says what I will say is, this is a flagrant abuse of Jesus‘s story. For one thing she dismisses everything that Paul and other apostles say by saying that it was written by men and due to the previous narrative you can hear the sneer and the text.
She even insinuate that Paul lied about having a vision of Jesus on the way to Damascus and after all Paul went through for the love of his Lord what I will say is shame on you Miss Werner. not to mention a lot of other things in the narrative feel more like current day opinions as opposed to what people really thought in ancient times. I mean you’re telling me that Mary who God chose as an anointed soul would have such a negative feelings towards the other apostles… I just found it hard to get through I am just sad that someone would write such an ill advice narrative about Jesus and those he picked as like souls I thought this was going to be a legitimate re-telling for Mary’s point of view but turns out it’s just blasphemy and made up conclusions from a modern day author. So sad so so sad.#NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #UrsulaWerner, #MagdaReveal,

Thank you for allowing me access to Magda Revealed. I do not want to finish this book and I'll explain why.

I am a Christian and believe that the Bible is the Word of God and that the words in the Bible are God-breathed ("All Scripture is God-breathed" is 2 Timothy 3:16.). Although this is a fictional story it is professed to be researched and readers will be amazed at what the "truth" reveals.

Even though the Bible was written by men, God directed their words. Their accounts of stories written in the Bible are truth, not an absurd story made up by common men.

I tried to go with the stories flow and give it a chance. It bothered me that Jesus was depicted as a hippy-like, casual prophet spreading God's Word instead of the revealing who He really was...God who became man. (John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." )

The time that I really had to stop is when
Jesus and Magda were kissing and when they were lying together, etc. To depict Jesus as a human man with sexual desires
is ridiculous. He was perfect and he was God, not a sexually driven prophet.

I hope you understand this is not a story I will finish nor is it material I would like to read. I hope you are able to see the critique of this book as an opinion and a relevant point of view.

Although this is a work of fiction, it’s also a new and unique way to view Mary Magdalene, her relationship with Jesus, and his teachings. When I first read the blurb, I was intrigued, but it was the flowing cadence and raw emotions that really drew me in. It feels like you’re sitting across from Magda, hearing her reluctantly share her story with you. She not only talks about her own life, but her life with Jesus, and how she understood his teachings. It’s a different view than that shared in the bible, but is presented respectfully. I doubt I’m the target audience (I’m a pagan and lapsed Catholic), but I got so wrapped up in this story that I found it hard to stop reading. If you’re interested in historical fiction, and don’t mind a religious tilt to it, then you’re going to want to put this at the top of your TBR pile!

This was a very well written book! And it made me understand things differently and I loved the perspective in this book!

What a beautiful vision and version of the lives and ministries of Mary Magdalen and Jesus and the men and women who were his disciples. (Shout out to my patron saint Susanna!) These women are sometimes called the holy myrrh bearers and this book explores the traditions of holy oils and anointing as part of healing the body mind and soul in such a beautiful way. I loved the book, highly recommend it, and thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review it

Magic Revealed was certainly thought provoking. Beautifully written with a unique viewpoint. I enjoyed her opinion of Paul. Well done.

Magda Revealed by Ursula Werner takes readers on a thought-provoking journey through the life of its main character Mary Magdalene and her role as one of Jesus' most well-known disciples. Her story challenges norms and explores identity, power, and human connection in a way that feels fresh. Told from Magda’s perspective, the novel gives us a raw and honest look at her life—both the joys and the struggles—shared with a mix of humor and vulnerability. Magda is an historical figure who is depicted as complex, funny, and refreshingly real.

For readers who enjoyed The Red Tent by Anita Diamant or the sharp, witty style of Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad, this book will be right up your alley. If you enjoyed the The Red Tent , you will appreciate this novel's similar themes of sisterhood, survival, and carving out one’s identity despite the odds. The novel treats its characters with warmth and nuance, making them feel like real people rather than distant figures from history. If you liked The Penelopiad, you’ll enjoy Magda’s sharp, self-aware female voice that blends wit and emotion. She refuses to be just a side character in her own story; instead she tells it in her own way, with humour and insight. The result leaves a lasting impression.

At its core, Magda Revealed is about a woman pushing against expectations and finding her own path. It’s a compelling, character-driven novel that blends history, humour, and emotional depth—perfect for anyone who enjoys stories that dig into the complexity of women’s lives.

What a different perspective point of view from Mary Magdelene!
I have often found her an interesting character of the Bible. She's a delightful person to get to know amd her faith is unlike any I've ever seen in a human.
She's one of my very favorite characters of the Bible.
I felt like I got to know Jesus better too. Of course, He's my most favorite person in this story. Magda is a wonderful storyteller.
I've imagined myself traveling along with Jesus and hearing him teach. What interesting sermons He must've had!
I was sad when this book ended. It was wonderful to spend time with Magda and Yeshua again. I didn't want to leave them.
Books like these? Well.... they just leave my heart feeling full and satisfied.
5 stars for a wonderful trip back to Biblical times that I truly enjoyed. I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

I love this book and thank NetGalley for the ARC copy. The story if Jesus told by Mary Magdeline felt very real. She talks about his teaching, healing and Him as a very much a man. She talks about their days together, His fears and desires for mankind. I think its great that Mary dissed The Quartet (Mathew, Mark, Luke and John), noting they didnt know Jesus or spend time with Him. They spun a bit of their own narrative. My faith is very strong, I believe in God and Jesus. Mary's perspective aligns so well with what I believe. And learning about the other strong women.of the time was very interesting and made sense. I will probably recommend this book both for my personal and church book clubs. It should lead to some interesting discussion.