Customer Reviews

The Covenant (Abram's Daughters #1)

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4 star:		(15)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

The Covenant is my first Beverly Lewis novel, and I have to say that I enjoyed it immensely. Set in the Lancaster County, PA "Dutch Country" area, the novel is the first in a series about four Amish sisters - Abram's Daughter's.

The plot focuses mostly on the two eldest daughters, Sadie and Leah. Sadie is a typical innocent young girl, intrigued with the wordly ways that she has been sheltered from, and running wild during her rumsprunger (the time when Amish teens get to do what they want before they commit themselves to an Amish/Anabaptist way of life). Leah, younger than Sadie, has not yet come to the age of rumsprunger, but is much more staid of temperment, and worried terribly over Sadie's running around. While dealing with these worries, Leah is also dealing with the pressure that her father is putting on her to marry Gideon and join the two families farms, when she comes of age. Leah, of course, is in love with someone else.

Beverly Lewis is an immensely sweet and realistic writer. She manages to portray Lancaster County in an attractive, but thankfully not syrupy, manner. Her characters are real people who have passions and worries, but still have floors to sweep and cows to milk. Like us, they must struggle to function *with* their passions and problems, rather than calling a time-out on their lives for a plotline. And like real people, these characters do not go into euphoric swoons, nor have nervous breakdowns. Instead, they laugh, cry, get mad, forgive, love, and pick up the pieces.

The Covenant is steadily paced, but not at all fast. It feels like a leisurely walk down the beach with a good friend. The story provides for satisfying moments, but as the beginning of the series, does not wrap things up in a neat package. Instead, this is a true series, rather than a trilogy, and the next book will pick up where this one leaves off.

I very much enjoyed The Covenant and look forward to reading the next book in the series, as well as all reading other of Lewis' books. This book will be highly enjoyed by most women who have had children, as doubtless was it's targeted audience. I would also recommend that mothers consider giving a copy to their teenage daughters. It would provide an nice connection for the daughters to see what it is that mothers truly worry about, and possibly provide some meat for interesting discussions.

This is not the kind of book I usually read. (A story about the Amish? Yawn!) It was a gift . I probably wouldn't have bought it myself. But I'm glad I read it. The book was a bit slow paced at first-like what we imagine Amish life to be - but before long I was hooked! If Ms. Lewis doesn't hurry up and write the sequel ( Abram's Daughters 2), I'll break out in a rash. I guess I'll just have to read her other books in the meantime! Did I mention there is no graphic sex, violence, or swearing? And you DON'T CARE!! There is love, mystery, happiness, tragedy, loyalty, all the ingredients of a good read. Just what I like in a book. I'm itchin' to read the next installment in the lives of Abram's daughters!

I just finished reading The Covenant...and had NO idea when I picked the book up that it was a series. Whew. Am I glad. I got to the end of the book at 2am...and thought..."BUT, WHAT ABOUT....?"

I found the book an interesting challenge to my preconcieved ideas about the Amish. I think I always thought that their life was idyllic, simple...and something a part of me longed for in this "look at your calender to see what thousand things you have to today" world.

I found very human characters with very good hearts and intentions struggling with teenagers, freedom, dreams,work, expectations and love. Although the Amish choose to live differently than we do, we are all tied together whether "plain" or "wordly" in simply being human.

This is not a profoundly deep or thrilling book, yet it will leave you wanting more. You come to care for the characters and their tears and joys...just as you do your best friend. You know her secrets and know her heart and just pray that it all works out in the end...

So you'll be looking very forward to your next visit in Book 2. :-)

This is the first book by Beverly Lewis I have read. I have to say that once I got started, I just had to keep reading. I enjoyed learning about the Amish culture. I would characterize this book as a cross between "Little Women" and "Fiddler on the Roof" with a dash of "The Scarlet Letter" thrown in. It is simple and sweet with just enough turmoil to make it interesting. One of the things I took away from reading this book is that no matter our religion, race or background, we all share similar emotions (though our trials may vary) while we try to find our way through life. The author is good at developing her characters in such a way that you feel you know them and even though they are all so different, you are rooting for each one. Her style is also such that she leads you along just enough so that you can't wait to see what is going to happen next and which secrets will be revealed. She does leave the first book with somewhat of a cliffhanger so don't read the first if you are not interested in reading the second. Happy Reading!!!!

The Covenant is the tale of Abram and Ida Ebersol two oldest daughters, Sadie and Leah, during their rumschpringe. This is a time when Amish teens are allowed to run wild and free before taking their baptismal vows.

Sadie, the eldest of the Ebersol's four daughters, is making her vows in the fall, and she is not at all sure this is the path she wants. Truth be told she has been sneaking into town asking for trouble. She knows her parents would be shamed if they knew where she had been, but this doesn't seem to bother Sadie in the least. Especially after the night she meets the fancy English boy, Derry. She could not stay away from this boy who whispered sweet nothings in her ear. Sadie at first does not understand the danger that everyone tries to warn her against, but it is not long before Sadie learns first hand what can happen when you are lead astray from God by temptation.

Unlike Sadie, Leah, the second oldest, was not raised to woman's work in the house but to man's work out side with her father. She has always been her father's son since her parents did not have any boys. As Leah watches her sister Sadie going through her rumschpringe, she begins to worry about her sister, but all she seems to get from Sadie these days is indifference. Not knowing what else to do, she starts to look forward to her own upcoming rumschpringe. Her father has it in his sites that she will marry the Smithy's son, but unfortunately Leah has another boy in mind. How can she break the news to her father without breaking his heart?

As Sadie and Leah are both going through their rumschpringe, they both learn that some times you can not stop the fall, but you can be there to help pick up the pieces.

Beverly Lewis has brought her readers a wonderful heartwarming story of two teenage girls, who learn first hand the heartbreaking consequences of going astray from God and family. Sadie and Leah are two characters that readers will not soon forget. Throughout this story the reader is allowed to see how the Amish lifestyle is built on their love for God. This reviewer must admit she was a little shocked by the turn of events in the end of the book. However this reviewer was not disappointed. For fans of Beverly Lewis The Covenant is a must read!

--- reviewed by JoAnn Miller for Christian Bookshelf

This is book one of a new series and features the all girl family of Ida and Abram. The oldest, Sadie, is currently having her wild days, just before taking her vows and being baptized into the church. Although she is going through with it, she secretly is holding to "outside, sinful desires" and has found a forbidden love.

You will learn of Amish ways and meet young Leah, who surely will be featured in a later book. Parts of this book are a little predictable and lack depth when compared to the Shunning-

Beverly Lewis has just started this series and already she has us caught up, holding our breath, wondering WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE REST OF THE STORY? Book 2 surely is coming out soon.

In 1946, the four Amish daughters of Abram and Ida Ebersol were on the verge of becoming women.

Sadie, the oldest at 19, had been allowed to attend the public high school where she was exposed to modern society and with it, everything her Amish culture opposed. Though she was raised to adhere to the strict church rules of dress and conduct, Sadie longed for the freedoms of the outside world, the world she had come to know in school. When she met a handsome, sweet-talking Englishman, she knew that she would give up everything she had ever known to be by his side and join his world forever.

Leah, sixteen, was the 'sensible' one. She was more sturdy than the other girls and her role in the family was to help her father. Instead of learning the womanly chores, she worked in the fields with Abram. During those long hours with her father, she learned of things the men often discussed, but she never forgot she was a woman, soon to be married and starting a family of her own. Though she longed to please her father, she couldn't marry the boy he had chosen for her for her heart belonged to another.

The twins, Hannah and Mary Ruth, were 10 and shared a bond only twins could share. But the girls were very different in personality.

Hannah was quiet, but very talented with a needle and thread. Mary Ruth was the outgoing one and intrigued with learning. Her greatest desire was to become a teacher, but she had a huge obstacle - Abram would not make the same mistake with his other girls that he made with Sadie. None of the other girls would complete school past the 8th grade.

Hannah knew of her sister's dream and she was determined to help. She sewed and stitched and every cent she could squander, she held in secret for Mary Ruth. Maybe one day her money would help Mary Ruth stay in school.

All four girls, though Amish, were anything but 'plain.' Their appearance and lives were simple, but their deepest desires are not. Their lives are intricately woven together by family, tradition and love.

I enjoyed every single page of this book!

A pattern I've noticed in these books is that the author will present a "deep dark secret" but not tell you what it is until the end of the book. I think that's what helps keep the reader glued to it. It's definitely what I enjoy the most.

Often she will throw a twist in the middle or at the end as well.

This is the first in the Abram's Daughters Series. I've read the next 3 in the series and can't wait till the new one comes out!

I also recommend The Postcard by Beverly Lewis, in addition to this book.

This story is a quaint portrayal of the Amish life, and makes one almost want to stop being English, lol! That is what is great, and not so great about it at the same time. No lifestyle could be this ideal, but it the images, and peaceful feeling you get, is a nice getaway (which is what a book should be sometimes). The story is great, and the relationship between the sisters the best part of it. It is one of those stories that wraps you up in it, wanting to got to the next chapter, just to know just a little bit more, and before you know it, the book is finished!

I purchased this book as a way to kill down time while at work. Once i started reading it, I felt as though i was standing right there helping in the kitchen and on the farm. It was wonderfully written, and impossible to put down. I am looking forward to the next book in the series to see what happens to Abrams daughters. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves christian fiction, and the amish culture. Truely wonderful.