ISBN: 9780764209000
Paperback, 480 pages
Publisher: Bethany House
Retail: $14.99
About the book:
Stone by Stone, the Wall Will Rise Once More Around God's City
When news reaches him that Jerusalem's wall is shattered and its gates burned with fire, a distraught Nehemiah seeks God's guidance in fasting and prayer. Granted an unexpected leave from his duty as cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah sets out for Jerusalem to rebuild the city wall--never anticipating all the dangers that await him on his arrival.
The leaders of the surrounding nations become his fierce enemies, plotting to assassinate him and stop the wall's reconstruction forever. A drought, meanwhile, has left the country impoverished, with many families resorting to selling their children as bondservants just to keep from starving.
Capturing the rebuilding of the wall through the eyes of a number of characters, On This Foundation is the powerful conclusion to The Restoration Chronicles. This exploration of faith in the midst of oppression offers hope that, in spite of appearances, the gracious hand of God is upon those who believe.
About the author:
Lynn Austin has sold more than one and a half million copies of her books worldwide. A former teacher who now writes and speaks full-time, she has won eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction. One of those novels, Hidden Places, has also been made into an Original Hallmark Channel movie. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and make their home in western Michigan. Learn more at www.lynnaustin.org.
My thoughts:
It felt like I waited forever for this book to come out! You can read other reviews I've done of Austin's books. This particular book is the third in "The Restoration Chronicles" series. Another very well done book by Austin!
What to say this time? I admittedly put off reading the book because I'm busy and it's 480 pages. I forgot how quickly it goes with Austin's writing! Her writing style is engaging and smooth. Her characters are full of realism- you feel like you know who they are, or you want to. The events and setting are straight out of the Old Testament- with a little artistic license here and there on details that we aren't given in the Bible.
I was astounded to read the account of Nehemiah rebuilding the wall through this historical fiction. I read it in the Bible and yes, it is impressive, but it's more 'these are the facts' when I read it in the Bible. I probably sound like a broken record with my reviews of Austin's bible-based historical fiction, but she makes it come alive! I will always read the Bible account first, but if Austin has a book on a biblical account, I will definitely read it afterward.
The setting for the book revolves around the Bible book of Nehemiah, chapters 1 through 13. There are many references to other Scriptures from Esther, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Leviticus, Numbers, Joshua, Ezekiel, and Genesis.
***Disclaimer: I received the above reviewed book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Bethany House! See Disclosure/Policies.***
This one's been on my To-Read list for a long time too. Thanks for sharing your review - I want to read it even more now!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely read it! Excellent- just like all of her books. Now I want to go back and finish Chronicles of the Kings by her. I got through two or three before life got in the way.
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