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Seventh Day starts off with a bang, and manages to keep the pace up throughout. I loved the way in which the Thoenes handled the circumstances leading to Lazarus' death—very convincing! The teaching portions are few and far between, which is a pleasure. Still on style, they chose to have a first-person narration from Peniel for a large section of the story. In my humble opinion, this choice didn't add or remove any value—the first-person and third-person narratives weren't that different in quality (at least none that I noticed).
I have a complaint to make on the inconsistency of names in the series. For example, the village where Lazarus lives is 'Bethany'; however, in a previous book it was 'Beth Anyah'. Other changes include Marianne/Mariamne and Beth Karem/Beth Kerem.
In conclusion, this is a book that Thoene fans will enjoy, despite knowing how it will end. ( )

Another great addition to this series! Macus, the Roman Centurion has returned to Jerusalem as the political/religious situation is heating up. Jesus has raised both a girl and a widow's son from the dead, and the high priest is concerned about maintaining his power. At the same time a diphtheria epidemic has hit the Jerusalem sparrows, but the Sanhedrin is more concerned about their own health than the boys who are dying. Lazarus leaves Bethany to tend to the young torch bearers, but comes down with the dreaded disease when he returns home. None of the sparrows died under his care, but where is God now? Mary, Martha, and their friends must deal with the question of "what if Jesus had been there?" The answer they eventually receive is better than anyone could have imagined. ( )