Tessa Afshar

*I was granted an eARC from the publisher. This does not affect my review. This review is voluntary.*

This is actually my first time reading a Tessa Afshar book. I know, I know! In part, yes this is considered the second in a duology...And yes, I've heard about all her other wonderful books. I just haven't gotten the pleasure to read them yet, haha. After reading this one, I'm all the more excited about that prospect though!

I'm super picky about biblical fiction, or anything that includes the bible really. I also tend to shy away from books that have actual bible figures as characters, often preferring biblical fiction that takes place along-side biblical events instead of actually focusing on retelling the stories found in scripture.

This was a fun example of that. Cyrus and a few others are known from biblical and historical accounts, but since Jemmah was the main character, and the story was more focused on her and Asher, their stories paralleling what we know from scripture and history without really changing much of the parts we know about Cyrus himself or others who lives before, I was able to enjoy this fun story for what it was, and actually found myself loving their story as it goes on!

There were a few things that made me unsure and slightly hesitant at times, but by the end none of them really hurt my enjoyment of the story, and none were enough to prevent me from finishing or recommending this one. One of those was Cyrus' faith. We know he was Persian, and so his belief in the Persian gods/god isn't surprising, and likely very true. His insistence in the story of contributing the things promised by the One True GOD, the God the of Hebrews, that I was less a fan of. Sure, people do that, but it's also very disrespecting and… (más)

There is so much going on in this book. So many social issues, historical details, subplots...it's a lot. Somehow, it all works together really well, but it can nearly be overwhelming at times. If this review seems a bit disorganized at times, this is why. Synthesizing all of the layers and coming up with a single stream of critique is challenging! But let's jump in:

First of all, I did not like the beginning of the book. The sudden violence, discord, and fact that nothing lined up with the story I expected clashed into something stunning, but not positive. It did not help that Ariadne is not the kindest person at the beginning, and while I still felt sorry for her, I did not initially have much hope for enjoying her as a narrator.

Thankfully, I pushed past the first chapters and got to the meat of the story. Afshar creates stunning depth and a palpable natural atmosphere by including tons of details about first-century Greek and Roman culture. Through Ariadne, she gives enough explanation for certain social customs to make sense to the modern reader, but not so much that they feel like they're sitting in a lecture. This aspect is probably my favorite thing about this book.

As the story progresses, we learn more about Ariadne and her eclectic family. Her actions and temper, while not excusable, become understood. Divorce, deceit, and sorrow have threaded poisoned roots through everyone in her family with no remedy in sight. The more Ariadne fights for control of her life and acceptance from those she loves, the more chaotic and tattered her life becomes. We watch her slowly spiral from one source of strife to another, her family falling farther apart the whole time.

This is not to say that everything in the story up to this point is depressing and dark. There are bright spots, they just are not substantial enough to have a lasting effect on Ariadne's life. And, as much as I disliked her attitude and sharp tongue, there are times her wit is entertaining.

When one of Ariadne's brothers invites over a friend named Paul (who is the apostle Paul from the Bible), things start to change. I enjoyed this final third of the story much more than the previous portions. As one person after another listens to and decides to follow Paul's message and the God he talks about, Ariadne's family begins to heal. Relationships are not simply glossed over, but truly treasured and restored. Afshar does a wonderful job portraying the power of the Gospel to transform lives. She alludes to passages from the Bible, and there are some discreet quotes, but I actually wished that there would have been more direct quotes. I do have a partial critique of Ariadne's transformation, as she initially dislikes Paul and the way everyone listens to him so intently until suddenly she, too, is responding to his message. The shift in her attitude towards him and the Gospel is abrupt, and I question how realistic it is. It is not just her interaction with Paul that changes suddenly, though; Ariadne's affection for the man she eventually marries also comes as a distinct switch from disinterest to love, with little time or explanation for her change of heart.

I strongly recommending Thief of Corinth first and foremost to fans of Biblical fiction and also those wanting to read historical fiction set in the first century (and Greece!). If you want to read about a (very) complicated family, a Robin Hood-like moral dilemma regarding stealing from the rich to help the poor, a sharp tongued protagonist, or fiction set in the Biblical New Testament, then Thief of Corinth is an excellent choice! There are some heavy topics, and the way they affect a person's mind and heart are examined more than the acts or situations themselves. Be prepared to face some challenging topics, but don't worry about being too worn down or reading anything graphic here.… (más)

I love this author's biblical fiction novels but I'm also a fan of her non-fiction works. In her newest book, Tessa Afshar focuses on three subjects that are especially relevant to her, and her total transparency is a blessing for the rest of us! The Rested Soul targets anxiety, discouragement, and depression and each of the thirty meditations provides nourishment for weary souls. I love that they each follow the same format: God's Word as an introduction, Tessa's reflections, a question to spur our thinking, a prayer to guide us, and encouraging words that promote peace and rest.

I'm always inspired by her eloquent insights, but The Rested Soul has so much more! There are lovely photographs taken by Afshar's husband that capture the beauty of God's creation and offer additional proof of His Presence in our lives! Joy, comfort, and assurance are found within the pages of this book!

I received an Advanced Review Copy (ARC) of this book for review purposes. These are my honest thoughts.… (más)