This was an a great novel. I thoroughly enjoyed this more than I did The Pharaoh's Daughter. I was more invested in the characters this time. The writing as usual is phenomenal with Mesu Andrews and the character development was amazing. The use of scripture is something I always enjoy in Mesu's novels because they keep me focused on scripture as I read.

Miriam was the main protagonist of the story, but we also got the POV of other characters. I enjoyed seeing how Miriam was before Moses returned as the "chosen" one. Seeing how she may have felt as a sister and feeling left out was interesting. I enjoyed the "what if" factor and how it worked well with what we know in scripture concerning her.

Aaron was the most intriguing because Mesu made him a sort of "yes man" husband which speaks to his later action in allowing the Israelites to act out of godly character. I thought he was absolutely whinny and annoying.

Moses was great. Seeing his moments of weakness and strength was so fun. I liked his character more in this book than in book one.

Eleazar, the son of Aaron, was frustrating at first, but seeing his growth as a wounded man and his relationship with God was amazing. Taliah was a sassy one and I adored her. She was a great match for Eleazar. I loved how their romance went.

Prince Ram pissed me off because he didn't seem like a mean or ignorant person, but because of the rules he had to portray to be. That ending when he spoke to Eleazar made me cry for him. Pharaoh was just a pig-headed stubborn man trying to control everything and failing to do so.

Overall, this was a great novel and I would definitely recommend it.

This book was received as an ARC from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers - WaterBrook in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This biblical historic event is one of the most iconic stories in the Bible itself. Knowing the background of Moses, Pharaoh and freeing the Jews from slavery is a story we will never forget. Getting to know Miriam and her purpose throughout the story was very interesting to read and hearing about the role she played in Moses' life was so inspiring and heartwarming that you could not help but follow along and cheer for them throughout the book. Having now read this book and getting to know Miriam and all she did and stood for, made me have a greater appreciation for this story almost to the point of seeing it in a brand new light. This book will definitely spark some interest with our community.

We will definitely consider adding this book to our Christian Fiction collection in our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Excellent. I loved every moment of this book. It made Biblical life even more real and tangible. Highly recommend .

New author. New book. First time read from a biblical point of view. Story about Miriam.
To be honest, I was a bit worried to read religious story, based on a Bible, but I have to be honest, the story was very interesting to read.
I did not know this was book number two. Therefore, I will definitely read book one when I have a chance.

Will be published on my blog on July 3rd.

Isaiah's Daughter introduced me this year to the fabulous author Mesu Andrews, and I was excited when I saw one of her other books on NetGalley. This book follows Miriam's story from physical slavery in Egypt, through the ten plagues, and forward to the future Promised Land. But Miram's story isn't just that of slavery to King Ramesses, but also that of doubts and the bondage in her own heart. As prophetess of the Lord, Miriam relies completely on the Lord for her skills in healing and in singing and prophesying. But soon she must come to know the Lord by faith and not just by hearing.

I loved how Eleazar and Taliah grew together in their relationship. Abba's kind and gentle counsel was so refreshing and it was always there when Miriam needed it. The plagues were all well done, and I didn't think that the "extras" in them distracted from Scripture at all, rather they gave life and meaning to the separation between Jew and Gentile, while also demonstrating that believing Gentiles were covered under the same blood of the Lamb. Andrews details the theological struggles of the Jews well. While we don't know for certain if Jews wondered if someone went to heaven if they weren't circumcised, but yet believed in Yahweh, the questions would have arisen because people doubt and wonder and wander. And our hearts today are no different from the hearts that clung to promises not knowing whether they would see their fulfillment. Andrews also deals with unanswered questions providing hope even when the unknown was before them.

The terror of the Passover was real, I believe, especially for all who were first born. And yet the obedience of the faithful provided relief and security amid the questions and chaos. While I don't know if Eleazar actually worked in the palace as a bodyguard, I loved his placement as a character. It gave him unique opportunities to fulfill little details in Scripture when we aren't told exactly how things happened.

Miriam's story, as well as the story of the Jews as they leave the bondage of Egypt is a true one, and one that Andrews did well in retelling. I love the fictional aspect of it, but even more, I believe good historical (Biblical) fiction makes you truly fall in love with the God of the Hebrews, who is also the God of the Gentiles and the nations. Join Miriam as she journeys out of Egypt to freedom, and come along side of her as she travels the road of faith, all the while healing hearts and relieving the pain of those around her.


*I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review.

Miriam by Mesu Andrews
This is the story of Miriam, Moses’ sister, as told by Mesu Andrews. She begins the tale when Moses returns to the Israelites who are slaves in Egypt. Miriam has not seen her brother in 40 years. She has been God’s prophetess since her youth. Now she is 80 and is struggling to adapt to the recent seeming silence of God in her life. With Moses’ return, life as Miriam knows it turns upside down.
The author has done meticulous research into the life and times of the Israelites in Egypt. Even though I have read the biblical account multiple times, she made the story come to life. She has put a great deal of thought into the motivation and character of each person. Much of what she extrapolates from the biblical account into her book makes sense to me.
There is also much spiritual meat in the story. Miriam, Taliah, Eleazor, Hur, Aaron and Elisheba have much to teach the reader about life, loving, and following God. The lessons are clear, but the book is not preachy. I finished the book encouraged to trust God more and anxious to read the biblical account again.
This book was well-written. The characters were well-developed and easy to relate to. The plot, although not continually heart-pounding, did have some taut suspense. It was a book that I heartily recommend to readers of biblical fiction, and to those who desire a greater appreciation for Israel’s slavery and exodus from Egypt. I received a free digital copy from the publisher in exchange for this, my honest review.

I read The Pharaoh’s Daughter a little while ago and was really excited when I saw that there was a second book in this little series. I was really excited to see Moses return to Egypt and free the Israelites. I was not disappointed! This book captured my attention and my heart from the very beginning and I didn’t want to put it down. Even though I knew how it would end from the Bible, I still couldn’t wait to see how Mesu Andrews brought it all about.

This book was incredibly well written and researched. It brought out a lot of thought and gravity to the stories of the Bible. I grew up hearing Bible stories, and the stories of Moses and Pharaoh were some of the most commonly told, and as an adult I read the Bible regularly, but I never got the depth of what these people must have endured before. The fear, pain, anger, and eventually joy, they experienced never really sank in for me. I always focused on the powerful display of God’s power, and how wonderfully he kept his promise, but now I can think more deeply about the people who experienced all of these amazing wonders, and what they must have felt.

I am exceedingly glad that I read this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Biblical Fiction.

*I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.*

MIRIAM

Nominated for 2017’s Christy Awards


In another exclusive, Biblion offers its readers a review to one of the books nominated for the current edition of the North American “Academy Awards” of Christian Literature – the Christy Awards. Miriam, by Mesu Andrews, has been picked as one of three contestants in the category “Historical.”

Mesu Andrews has specialized in giving life to female biblical characters through her novel series “Treasures of the Nile,” as has happened in previous literary successes such as Love Amid the Ashes and The Pharaoh’s Daughter.
One who’s very knowledgeable about the Scriptures, Andrews introduces to us in this fictional book several biblical figures that we thought we knew. The rigor of the descriptions, the character’s detail, the plot’s depth, it all takes us back to Exodus, where dire events for the people of Israel were occurring in Egypt.
Though her name is not commonly mentioned in the Bible, Miriam plays a key role in the Hebrews’ escape from the persecution of Pharaoh’s army. The sister of Moses and a prophetess that took care of the slaves while under the yoke of Egypt was struck by many ills, dying at the end of forty years crossing the desert incessantly.

Originaly Published at:
Biblion Online Magazine (PT): http://www.biblion.pt/miriam-mesu-andrews/
Biblion Online Magazine (EN): http://www.biblion.pt/mesu-andrews-miriam/
Biblion #6 Interactive Edition (Nov-Dec2017 – Portuguese): http://www.biblion.pt/biblion-6-interativa-pt/
Biblion #6 Interactive Edition (Nov-Dec2017 – English version): http://www.biblion.pt/biblion-6-interactive-edition-en/
Effective: November 1st, 2017